Tonsil, adenoid removal in kids may cause later life diseases

THOUSANDS of Australian children have their tonsils and adenoids out every year, but research suggests that could have long-term health impacts.

CHILDREN who have their tonsils and adenoids removed may face a higher risk of developing respiratory, allergic and infectious diseases later in life.

For the first time, Melbourne researchers analysed the long-term impact of the common surgeries.

The new findings suggest removing the small tissues in the nose and throat that help our bodies detect and fight bugs may alter the immune system at a crucial stage in its development or make it harder for the body to defend itself.

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University of Melbourne researcher Dr Sean Byars said it had been assumed that removing tonsils and adenoids had no long-term implications, but research is emerging about their vital role in the immune system.

He analysed data from almost 1.2 million children from birth up until the age of 30 with researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Yale University.

Children who have their tonsils removed may face health issues later in life.

About 60,000 had adenoidectomies, tonsillectomies or operations where both tissues were removed.

The study looked at the risk of 28 diseases in children who had their operation before the age of nine, compared with those who did not have the surgeries.

The children who had their tonsils taken out had triple the risk of developing diseases of the upper respiratory tract, such as asthma, influenza, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Removing the adenoids was linked to doubling the risk of diseases such as chronic ­bronchitis and emphysema and upper respiratory diseases.

The research, published on Friday in the JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery journal, doesn’t prove the surgeries caused the diseases, but shows a link between the two.

Dr Robert Loblay from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Dr Byars said they would like doctors and parents to understand there might be longer-term risks associated with these surgeries.

“It may also inform doctors who are weighing up whether to perform surgery or ‘wait and see’, especially in those with milder symptoms,” he said.

But Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Dr Robert Loblay said the study had many potential biases and its conclusions should best be taken with a “large grain of salt”.

“Fortunately, in recent decades, the pendulum has swung right away from unnecessary tonsillectomies or adenoidectomies,” Dr Loblay said.

“It’s relatively uncommon to see a child who’s had one nowadays without there being a good indication.”