Tonsillectomy and Weight Gain in Children, Is There a Correlation?

The relationship between tonsillectomy and postoperative weight gain in children has been studied across the globe. Indications for tonsillectomy include chronic recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea. This phenomenon of weight gain postoperatively and the many possible causes were the focus of this systematic review. Relationships between adenotonsillectomy/tonsillectomy, dietary habits, obstructive sleep apnea, motor activity, hyperactivity, insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin growth factor binding protein -3, and weight gain were investigated. Findings supported a relationship between adenotonsillectomy/tonsillectomy and postoperative weight gain, decreased sleep apnea, decreased motor activity and hyperactivity, an affinity for sugary and fatty foods, and an increase in insulin growth factor binding protein -3 in children. While an increase in weight was found postoperatively, an increase in height was not found to be statistically significant. With increasing concerns regarding the rise in obesity in our society, further research in this area regarding this phenomenon may lead to the development of guidelines for post recovery dietary and exercise habits. These guidelines could then be utilized to educate parents and primary care providers in an effort to minimize or prevent the occurrence of obesity in children post adenotonsillectomy/tonsillectomy