The effect of intranasal corticosteroids on treatment of children with adenoidal hypertrophy

Background: Adenoidal hypertrophy is a common problem in children which in case of obstructive symptoms needs adenoidectomy. In less severe cases, non surgical interventions may be considered. Intranasal corticosteroids might reduce obstructive symptoms in these patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of intranasal corticosteroid drop on obstructive symptoms in children with adenoid hypertrophy. Materials and methods: Seventy seven children aging 1-12 years with clinical symptoms of adenoidal hypertrophy who were confirmed by lateral neck radiography and have no indication for surgery were included the study and divided into two groups. The first group received intranasal betamethasone 0.1%, 3 times daily for 3 weeks and the second group received intranasal NACL. The subjects were assessed for obstructive symptoms including snoring, oral breathing, rhinorrhea and sinusitis at the end of 1 st and 3 rd months of treatment. The data were analyzed by SPSS19 software using chi square formula. Results: Intranasal betamethasone significantly improved airway obstruction symptoms especially nocturnal snoring and oral breathing (P=0.04) while there was no significant effect on other symptoms as well as infectious complications including bacterial rhinorrhea (P=0.3). Conclusion: Intranasal betamethasone can be used as an alternative treatment in children with adenoidal hypertrophy.