Tonsillectomy in the United States is often recommended for children who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea..

The results of a new study suggest that this procedure somehow speeds up weight gain in children, especially if they were already overweight before the operation..

Scientists say this is cause for concern because obesity is a risk factor for a whole range of serious diseases, including... sleep apnea.

But researchers do not oppose the current practice of giving tonsillectomy to children who really need this procedure..

Instead, scientists advise doctors and parents to be more careful about their children's diet and level of physical activity, as this is especially important after this procedure..

" You should also get advice on diet and lifestyle,"

Dr. Sangeeta Chakravorty, who heads the sleep lab at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, agrees with this sentiment.. Dr. Chakravorty, who was not involved in the study, says: "

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when narrowing of the airways causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. In children, the most common cause of sleep apnea is enlargement of the tonsils or adenoids.. Surgery to remove these tissues (adenotonsillectomy) is often recommended to eliminate the threat..

Doctors have long observed that after such an operation, children can gain weight at an accelerated pace.. The new study, published July 28 in the August print issue of the journal Pediatrics, suggests that weight gain is an "

The children participating in the study were randomly divided into two groups, one of which was offered waiting, and the second - surgery.. The first group had to stay on their medications that helped them better control their symptoms (decongestants, antihistamines, etc.).. ), and children from the second group immediately underwent tonsillectomy.

In total, the first group included 192 children aged 5-9 years, and 204 children underwent surgery.. Dr. Katz's team found that within 7 months after the procedure, children in the second group, many of whom were initially underweight, gained it slightly faster than the participants in the first group..

Overall, according to Dr. Chakravorty, there was little difference.. And for children who were not obese, this was not a significant effect.. The doctor literally said the following: "

But an undesirable effect of tonsillectomy on those children who were overweight before the procedure was revealed.. Among them, 52% acquired an official diagnosis of obesity already 7 months after the removal of the tonsils, and this compared with 21% in the first group of children who were not operated on..

There are several possible explanations for postoperative weight gain that Dr. Katz's team has put forward.. Children may have reduced nighttime calorie burn due to better sleep after sleep apnea was eliminated.. Some children may become less active during the day after getting rid of sleep apnea (ironically, according to the doctor, poor sleep often makes children hyperactive during the day).

Sleep apnea itself leads to metabolic changes. Growth hormone is released at night, and sleep disturbance can interfere with its normal production.. Therefore, the body can somehow adapt the metabolism in an attempt to support the growth of the child..

“Be that as it may, when sleep apnea is cured, children begin to gain weight faster,” Katz concluded..

Dr. Chakravorty noted that children with sleep apnea can be underweight and have a poor appetite, in which case a tonsillectomy kills two birds with one stone.. But these days, when developed countries are hit by an obesity epidemic, many children with sleep apnea are already overweight.. If they put on a few more pounds after the surgery, the sleep apnea could soon return as a complication of obesity..

“After the procedure, parents are usually very satisfied.. Their children sleep better, behavior may improve and school performance may improve. But this can be accompanied by weight gain,” warns Katz..

Scientists have concluded that there is a certain risk for overweight children, but if the child really needs such an operation, then parents should not worry about weight.. In the end, it can be combated through lifestyle and dietary changes..

medbe. en.