Does Adenoid Hypertrophy Affect Hemoglobin and Erythropoietin Levels in Children?

Abstract

Objective: Adenoid hypertrophy restricts the nasal airflow by obstructing the choanae posteriorly and may lead to chronic hypoxia. The present study mainly aims to compare pre- and postoperative erythropoietin (EPO) and hemoglobin (Hgb) levels in children undergoing adenoidectomy. Methods: Between 2021 September and 2022 August, 61 children who performed adenoidectomy in the ENT clinic included in this prospective clinical trial. The pre- and postoperative third months EPO and Hgb values of children were compared. Results: The mean age of the children undergoing adenoidectomy was 5.7±3.4 (range, 3-9 years). Twenty-seven of the subjects were men and 34 were women. The mean EPO values of the adenoid hypertrophy patients preoperatively and at postoperative third months were 13.7±2.4 Mu/mL and 10.8±1.6 Mu/mL, respectively. The decrease in mean EPO value was significant (p = 0.031). The mean Hgb levels of the subjects preoperatively and at postoperative 3rd months were 12.1±2.4 g/dL and 11.9±1.6 g/dL, respectively. When pre- and postoperative 3rd month mean Hgb values compared, the difference was not significant (p = 0.721). Conclusions: According to these outcomes, grade 4 adenoid hypertrophy is associated with significantly increased EPO values compared to post-operative values in children. To validate these results further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required.