Signs your child may need a Tonsillectomy

As an Adult and Paediatric ENT Surgeon, a tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgeries I perform, especially in young children.

A tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove the tonsils. This is mainly because of sleep apnoea or disrupted sleep. Less commonly in younger children, it may be required for frequent tonsillitis.

The average age children often undergo a tonsillectomy ranges between 3 – 7 years old. It is rare to perform the surgery if the child is less than 2, years old unless they have severe symptoms.

Although tonsils are part of the immune system, they are not critical, and their removal will not harm your child’s immune system.

There are many reasons why your child may need a Tonsillectomy. Here are some common symptoms or signs.

1. Loud, regular snoring
   Even when your child is well, they snore loudly and regularly when sleeping.

2. Pauses in breathing during sleep
   When you listen to your child sleep, you notice that they make gasping and/or choking sounds when sleeping. I often suggest parents record the sound of their children sleeping and bring it to a consultation.

3. Frequent tonsillitis
   Frequent and recurrent bouts of tonsillitis, especially if they regularly require antibiotics, steroids and time off daycare/school.

4. Sweaty, restless sleep
   If you notice your child is sweating and very restless during sleep – these can also be a sign of sleep apnoea

5. Hyper-excitability and Daytime Tiredness
   You child is tired during the day despite adequate hours of sleep, or displays hyper-excitability behaviour.

6. Posturing during sleep
   You child postures during sleep ie. mouth open and neck extended

7. Behavioural issues/Poor Concentration
   Behavioural issues such as irritability, anger, poor concentration, often misdiagnosed as possible ADHD.

It is important to remember that every child is different, and a Tonsillectomy surgery is not always the first, or most appropriate step in their treatment.

However if you are noticing these signs, it is worth getting a referral from your GP to have your child assessed by an ENT Surgeon.

Read more about a Tonsillectomy.