Should my child’s tonsils come out ?

Tonsils are one of the immune systems first line of defense. They trap airborne bacteria and virus particles as they are inhaled. This keeps them from entering the respiratory or GI ( Gastrointestinal ) systems. However the body has many layers of immune defense . This means that if your child needs to have her tonsils removed, it wont be a problem.

Surgery to remove the tonsils known as tonsillectomy is very common. There are two reasons why your child’s tonsils may be removed.

• Airway obstruction  and sleep apnea :When the tonsils are too big, they can obstruction and partially block the child’s airway. This is the  primary reason why children between the ages of 2 and 5 may need to have their tonsils removed . Symptoms to look out for include the following :
  • Snoring and pauses in breathing – Enlarged tonsils can result in turbulent flow in children which results in snoring and pauses in breathing .
  • Restless sleep – This will be seen in a child who is in bed all night and appears to be sleeping but wakes up very tired.
  • Bedwetting – If your child is suddenly in a pattern of wetting the bed, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.
  • Difficulty paying attention in school – If your child is  having difficulty concentrating in school or has behavioral problems,  it could be a sign of not having enough sleep.
• Recurrent tonsil infections : Strep throat is the most common tonsils infection but there are other causes too. These criteria need to be met before surgery is considered.
  • Severe infections in one year.
  • Five infections each year for 2 consecutive years.
  • Three infections each year for 3 years in a  role

NOTE

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your child’s tonsils.