The Short Stature in Children with Hypertrophy of Adenoid and Tonsil or Allergic Rhinitis

Shim, Ju Sup; Kim, Sung Wan; Choi, Hee Seok; Kim, Myung Gu; Cho, Joong Saeng

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is little data to indicate that hypertrophy of adenoid and tonsil may cause short stature. However, there is no data relating short stature to allergic rhinitis in the Korean population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hypertrophy of adenoid and tonsil and allergic rhinitis on children with short stature.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
One hundred and ninety-one children were included in the disease group, which consisted of three groups, allergic rhinitis only (n=83), hypertrophy of adenoid and tonsil only (n=67), and combintorial of allergic rhinitis and hypertrophy of adenoid and tonsil (n=41). There were 174 pediatric patients in the control group. Growth hormone levels, thyroid function and both wrist X-rays were checked on the children with short stature in order to exclude other chief medical problems causing short stature. For the purpose of evaluating the relationship between short stature and clinical factors, allergy parameters, eosinophil partition rate and total IgE levels were checked in the allergic rhinitis group, and the size of the adenoid and tonsil were checked in the adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy group. The relationship between the incidence of short stature and above clinical factors was evaluated.
RESULTS
The incidence of short stature was significantly higher in each disease group than in the control. However, there was no statistically significant differences between each disease group. The above clinical factors were not associated with short stature.
CONCLUSION
Hypertrophy in adenoid and tonsil and allergic rhinitis might be an independent cause of short stature.