Anthropometry: A clue for Otorhinolaryngology surgical indications in children.

BACKGROUND There are reports in literature concerning the relation between some maternal and neonatal factors and future risk of disease, including atopy, recurrent infections and obstructive sleep disturbances, three common pathologies eliciting surgery in children. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if maternal and neonatal factors can relate to Otorhinolaryngology surgical indications in a cohort of children treated in a tertiary referral center. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of data from children submitted to primary Otorhinolaryngology surgery in the pediatric ambulatory unit of Centro Hospitalar Universitario do Porto between March 2016 and March 2020 was performed. Children with orofacial congenital anomalies were excluded and 1256 children met the eligibility criteria. The associations between maternal and neonatal factors and the development of atopy, recurrent infections and obstructive sleep apnea were analyzed. RESULTS Atopic children showed higher birth weight percentile (p < 0,001) and birth weight-for-length index (p < 0,001) compared with non-atopic. Weight-at-surgery was also higher in atopic patients (p = 0,002). Maternal atopy significantly increased the risk of children atopic disease (p < 0,001; Odds Ratio 4,359). Children indicated for surgery for recurrent infections showed lower birth weight-for-length index (p = 0,038) and lower probability of atopic disease (p < 0,001). Recurrent acute otitis media related to both lower birth weight-for-length index (p = 0,002) and birth body mass index (p = 0,023). There was not a significant higher incidence of sleep apnea in preterm infants (p = 0,488). Obstructive sleep apnea patients showed lower weight-at-surgery percentile (p = 0,045). CONCLUSION This work suggests an association between birth anthropometric measurements and atopic and infectious diseases later in life, irrespective of gestational age. There was no consistent association between perinatal parameters and obstructive sleep apnea, but the impact of disordered breathing in childhood anthropometry was significative.