Effects of intranasal corticosteroids on decrease of adenoid hypertrophy in children

Introduction: Adenoid hypertrophy is associated with high morbidity rate in children. Although surgical treatment is indicated in severe cases, but there are evidences that some medical interventions are effective in improvement. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of corticosteroid nasal spray on reduction of airway obstruction due to adenoid hypertrophy. Methods: In a clinical trial study, 50 children aged 2-11 years suffering from excessive adenoid hypertrophy were administered by Mometason nasal spray in two age groups of 2-4 and 5-11 years for duration of 12-week. All subjects were evaluated for adenoid size and grade of airway obstruction before and after the intervention by lateral neck radiography. Results: Radiographic findings and clinical responses were changed significantly after treatment which was greater in the 2-4 years old group. Adenoid size was significantly less than its size before treatment and the severity of upper airway obstructive signs and symptoms decreased in two groups. No side effects reported. Total score of the signs for nasal obstruction and the rate of airway obstruction by lateral neck radiography were lower than 12 weeks before drug therapy and the last did not changed during 3 months follow-up. Conclusion: Topical nasal corticosteroid can lead to decrease in size of the adenoid and the severity of upper airway obstructive signs and symptoms of children with adenoid hypertrophy. The effects did not change after 3 months follow-up.