What causes enlarged tonsils in children?
Disease description:
In the past few days, I've noticed that my child's tonsils seem slightly enlarged. I'd like to know what might be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
In general, tonsillar hypertrophy in children is caused by chronic enlargement due to recurrent tonsil infections. Repeated invasions of bacteria and viruses in children lead to decreased immune function, resulting in tonsil infections and chronic proliferation of adenoid tissue in the nasopharynx, thereby causing chronic tonsillitis and adenoid hypertrophy. Tonsillar hypertrophy in children may lead to symptoms such as snoring during sleep; in severe cases, it can cause airway obstruction, awakening from sleep due to breathlessness, inability to lie flat, and decreased blood oxygen saturation. Patients are advised to seek early treatment to identify the underlying cause and restore health.
