Adenoidectomy - Etiology

Etiology

Adenoids develop from a subepithelial infiltration of lymphocytes after the embryo gets into the 16th week. They are part of the Waldeyer ring of lymphoid tissue together with the palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsil.

After birth, they begin to enlarge and continue to do so until aged 5 to 7 years. It is common that in infants of 18 to 24 months the adenoids are symptomatic, meaning that snoring, nasal airway obstruction and obstructed breathing usually occur during sleep. Over time, adenoids become gradually asymptomatic as when children reach school age, adenoids are expected to begin to shrink and when they reach teenage years, the adenoids should become small enough to not cause any symptoms.

The establishment of the upper respiratory tract is initiated at birth. Species of bacteria such as lactobacilli, anaerobic streptococci, actinomycosis, Fusobacterium species, and Nocardia are normally present in children of 6 months old. Normal flora found in the adenoid consists of alpha-hemolytic streptococci and enterococci, Corynebacterium species, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Neisseria species, Haemophilus species, Micrococcus species, and Stomatococcus species.

Infection of the adenoids can lead to the development of ear, nose and sinus illnesses.