title: Improved somatic growth following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy in young children. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms.
abstract: The effect of Adenotonsillectomy on somatic growth was studied prospectively in 57, randomly selected children (31 boys, 26 girls), aged 5.03+/-1.32 (mean+/-1SD) years. The indication for surgery was adenotonsillar hypertrophy with or without recurrent infections. Weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and Body Mass Index were measured prior to the operation and 6-13 months afterwards. Weight was significantly improved following T&A in all children. The improvement in height was significantly only for children under 5 years. In an attempt to uncover the pathogenetic mechanisms, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, somatomedin-C (IGF-I), growth hormone(GH), insulin, glucose, pH, hemoglobin (Hbeta). and white cell count (WBC) were also determined in the last 18 children, prior to and 6-8 months post operatively. For the comparison of pre and post operative values the paired t test was applied. Although the values of GH and IGF1 did not significantly increase post-op the IGF-1/GH ratio increased, possibly indicating improved IGF1 generation. There was also a rise in Hbeta values and a lowering of WBC, probably reflecting the lower frequency of infections. All other metabolic indices did not change. In conclusion, linear grow post-Adenotonsillectomy improved in children aged <5 years and was associated with improved with IGF-1/GH ratio, increased Hbeta values and decreased in WBC.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, First Paediatric Department, Athens University, Children's Hospital, Agia Sophia Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Harilaos S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Vontetsianos
authors.forename: Spiros E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Davris
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Christopoulos
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dacou-Voutetakis
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone