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Our BlogAdenoids in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options for Better Breathing and SleepNovember 6, 2025
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Last Update: 6/11/2025
Adenoids in children are a small patch of lymphatic tissue located high behind the nose and roof of the throat. They play an important role in supporting the immune system by helping the body fight germs and infections entering through the nose or mouth.
However, when adenoids become enlarged, they may block airflow through the nasal passages, causing symptoms such as nasal obstruction, snoring, or mouth breathing.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for adenoids in children, and explain when it’s time to see an ENT specialist to ensure your child breathes and sleeps comfortably.
If your child has frequent nasal blockage or difficulty breathing during sleep, you can book your appointment now with ENT specialists at Magrabi Hospitals for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Adenoids in children are soft, sponge-like tissue located behind the nasal cavity in the upper part of the throat. They form part of the immune system, filtering bacteria and viruses entering through the nose.
Normally, adenoids are small and active in early childhood, gradually shrinking as the child grows.
However, in some children, repeated infections or allergies cause the adenoids to swell and block the airways, leading to breathing difficulties, snoring, or disturbed sleep.
Many parents confuse adenoids and tonsils because both are part of the body’s immune defense, but their location and symptoms differ:
For more details about tonsils and their role, you can read our full article:
Facts You Should Know About the Tonsils in the Throat
To learn more about adenoids, their functions, and common conditions, visit:
What Are Adenoids?
When adenoids enlarge excessively, they can cause noticeable symptoms — let’s look at the most common signs parents should watch for.
Parents often notice changes in their child’s breathing pattern before realizing the problem lies with the adenoids.
Typical symptoms of adenoid enlargement in children include:
Chronic mouth breathing can affect facial growth and lead to what is known as “adenoid face.”
Common features include:
These features indicate that adenoid enlargement is affecting facial development and airflow — which requires prompt medical evaluation by an ENT specialist.
One of the most common questions parents ask ENT doctors is:
“Does adenoid enlargement cause snoring in children?”
The answer is yes. Enlarged adenoids are one of the leading causes of chronic snoring in children.
When adenoids obstruct the airway, airflow through the nose becomes limited, forcing the child to breathe through the mouth. This causes vibration of the soft tissues in the throat, resulting in snoring.
While snoring might seem harmless, persistent snoring can lead to poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and concentration difficulties due to reduced oxygen during deep sleep.
If your child snores frequently or breathes mainly through the mouth at night, it’s essential to see an ENT specialist for evaluation and proper management.
Is your child snoring at night? Don’t ignore the symptoms — early intervention makes all the difference.
Book a consultation with ENT doctors at Magrabi Hospitals to identify the cause and ensure safe and effective treatment.
Understanding the causes of enlarged adenoids helps in both prevention and treatment.
The most common causes include:
When these triggers persist, the adenoids remain swollen and can affect breathing, sleep, and hearing — especially in young children and infants.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Health, adenoid swelling can occur even in infants and should not be ignored if breathing or feeding becomes difficult.
At this age, symptoms may include:
ENT specialists at Magrabi Hospitals have observed similar findings in clinical practice — emphasizing that early diagnosis and close monitoring often prevent the need for surgery in most infant cases.
If enlarged adenoids remain untreated, they may cause several complications such as:
According to ENT doctors at Magrabi Hospitals, early treatment helps prevent these complications and supports healthy growth, proper speech, and improved sleep quality.
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how much the adenoids affect breathing or hearing.
In mild to moderate cases, the first line of treatment includes:
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and Magrabi Hospital ENT specialists warn against the misuse of antibiotics. Overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, where medications become ineffective when truly needed.
Always use medications under medical supervision and follow dosage instructions carefully.
For mild cases or infants with adenoid swelling, home care can make a big difference:
Regular follow-up visits are essential to track improvement and prevent recurrence. If symptoms persist or hearing loss develops, surgery might be necessary.
When medications fail, adenoidectomy becomes necessary.
It’s a simple, safe procedure performed under general anesthesia. Using modern techniques like cold ablation or suction curettage, the surgeon removes the enlarged adenoid tissue through the mouth — without any external incisions.
The surgery takes about 15–30 minutes and children can usually go home the same day.
Children may have mild nasal congestion or throat discomfort for a few days, which gradually improves within a week.
Most parents notice a remarkable improvement in breathing and sleep within 24–48 hours after surgery.
In some cases, both adenoids and tonsils are removed together to improve breathing and reduce infection recurrence.
This combined procedure is safe and performed under a single anesthesia session for better long-term results.
Still unsure about surgery?
Don’t worry — our expert ENT Department team at Magrabi Hospitals performs adenoidectomy with advanced safety standards and child-friendly care.
You can book an appointment today for a detailed evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Usually after age two, depending on symptom severity and breathing difficulties.
Persistent nasal blockage, mouth breathing, snoring, and frequent ear infections are key signs that should be checked by an ENT specialist.
Yes, many mild cases improve with medications, nasal sprays, and allergy control under medical supervision.
Typically after age two, or earlier if breathing or hearing is severely affected.
You should consult an ENT specialist if your child has:
For expert evaluation, visit our ENT Department at Magrabi Hospitals, where specialized doctors provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for adenoid and tonsil conditions.
Does your child have ongoing nasal congestion or snoring at night?
Don’t wait — book your appointment now with Magrabi Hospital’s ENT specialists and help your child breathe and sleep comfortably again.
Dr. Hesham Abdulaziz
Consultant ENT Surgeon – Magrabi Hospitals
This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace a medical consultation.
Always seek professional advice from a qualified ENT specialist to evaluate your child’s condition and determine the most appropriate treatment.
