What Causes Sleeplessness After An Adenotonsillectomy?

Posted on Wed, 23 Aug 2017

Question: Hi. My 6 year old son had a tonsillectomy and adenoectomy last Thursday. His surgeon said his tonsils were pretty large. The past few nights, he has been waking up with night terrors. He had these prior to the surgery and I was hoping they would get better. He had some sleep apnea which is why we elected for the surgery. His sleep has been way off since the surgery. I thought he would sleep more but he hasn't. He has had some sleep but I'm sure he needs more. He was in more pain today but I'm told that day 4-7 is the worst and we are on day 6. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on symptom improvement after adenotonsillectomy

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I agree with the expectation that sleep should improve after adenotonsillectomy. But not immediately. Usually you will be able to appreciate good sleep pattern after 4-6 weeks.

Now it will be like this itself as the component of pain is very subjective from child to child.

You are doing the right thing in alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen.

Night terrors might improve in another 6weeks to 6 months.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (35 minutes later)

Thank you for answering so quickly. Do you believe night terrors are caused by anything specifically? For example, using the computer or watching television? Or a specific food?
It's just so hard to watch him go through this but it's comforting to know that they will resolve in time.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on night terrors

Detailed Answer:
Hi... the causes of night terrors in children include sleep deprivation, high grade fever, stressful life events and behavioral disturbances.

But in all this I consider sleep deprivation could have been the reason for the night terrors in your child as the upper airway resistance syndrome or enlarged tonsils might have lead on to sleep disordered breathing and chronic sleep deprivation.

I feel once this gets rectified, the night terrors will gradually subside. I do not think there is any specific food which is related to this.

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar