Purpose To check the change in growth-for-age after adenotonsillectomy in pre-pubertal children and investigate the affecting factors. Methods Two hundred and six pediatric patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy by a single surgeon between January 2011 and December 2014 were included for the retrospective cohort study. The z-scores of height-, weight-, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age were measured before adenotonsillectomy and 1 year after the operation. The Korean version of the obstructive sleep apnea-18 questionnaire (OSA-18), symptom questionnaire, physical examinations, demographic data, and pre-operative z-scores were used to analyze the factors affecting z-score change. Results Among 206 pediatric patients, 167 patients were normal growth; 19 were undergrowth; and 20 were obese. After the operation, height, weight, and BMI z-scores all increased both in 167 normal-growth patients and 19 undergrowth patients (p value < 0.05). However, in 20 obese patients, only height z-score significantly increased (p value = 0.028). The multiple regression test showed that the sleep disturbance domain of OSA-18 was positively correlated with height z-score change (p value = 0.041), and age was negatively correlated with weight z-score change (p value = 0.016). Pre-operative BMI z-score was negatively correlated (p value = 0.019) and adenoid grade was positively correlated (p value = 0.023) with BMI z-score change. Conclusions These findings suggest that adenotonsillectomy may positively affect growth in pre-pubertal children, without undesirable weight gain. Additionally, the sleep disturbance domain of OSA-18 may play a role in predicting post-operative height increase in pre-pubertal children.

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