[Adenoidal hypertrophy and the mandibular growth pattern in children].

Objective: To assess the influence of nasal adenoidal hypertrophy (AH) in children on the mandibular growth pattern.

Method: The patients were divided to two groups aged from 3 to 12 years. In the AH group (30 children), the cases who had symptom of NAO for more than two years and A/N > or = 0.71 (the adenoids/nasopharynx according to the cephalometry) were selected. In the control group (28 children), the cases who had no symptom of NAO and A/N < or = 0.60 were selected. All data of acoustic rhinometry (AR) and cephalometry were analyzed.

Result: Compared with the controls, the total nasal airway resistance (TNAR) was significant increased (P < 0.01), the bilateria nasal cavity minimal cross sectional area (MCSA) was significant decreased (P < 0.01), and the nasopharyngeal volume (NPV) was significant decreased (P < 0.01). There were significant differences between the AH group and the controls in TNAR, NPV and MCSA. Comparing with the controls,the children with AH showed apparently vertical growth pattern, and larger gonion and retrusion chin. There was positive correlation between NPV and FH ratio.

Conclusion: It indicated that AH might be one of the factors related to the difference of craniofacial morphology, especially of the mandibular growth pattern.