Enlargement of the adenoids may cause airway obstruction. Bitar et al correlated a clinical score with the degree of palatal airway obstruction. The author are from the American University of Beirut and Turku University Hospital in Finland.
Parameters:
(1) mouth breathing
(2) snoring
(3) restless sleep
(4) frequent waking at night for respiratory discomfort/distress (>= 3 times per night)
(5) obstructive breathing during sleep
Status
Points
absent
0
present
1
total clinical score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Actual obstruction of the airway was determined on imaging studies or by clinical exam.
Obstruction
Grade
< 50%
mild (Grade 1)
50 to 75%
moderate (Grade 2)
> 75%
severe (Grade 3)
Interpretation:
• minimum clinical score: 0
• maximum clinical score: 5
• The higher the clinical score the greater the airway obstruction.
• Children less than 3 years of age tended to have higher scores.
• A score >= 3 predicts severe airway obstruction (>= 90%).
• A score of 2 was associated with severe obstruction in about two thirds of patients.
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