Awareness of Parents Regarding Signs, Symptoms, and Long-term Complications of Adenoid Enlargement in Central Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Adenoid hypertrophy, a prevalent pediatric condition, often leads to airway obstruction, recurrent infections, and sleep disturbances. Untreated cases may result in severe complications such as obstructive sleep apnea, growth delays, and cognitive impairments. Despite its impact, parental awareness regarding its signs, symptoms, and long-term consequences remains understudied, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study assessed parental awareness of adenoid enlargement in Saudi Arabia’s central region, focusing on recognition of symptoms, complications, and factors influencing knowledge. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 629 parents via an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, with awareness categorized as “good” (≥60% correct answers) or “poor” (<60%). Chi-square tests evaluated associations between demographic variables and awareness levels. Results: Overall, 62.8% of parents demonstrated poor awareness. While common symptoms such as snoring (79.1%) and breathing difficulties (75.5%) were recognized, awareness of complications, such as facial deformities (26.6%) and growth failure (22.6%), was markedly low. Higher parental education (postgraduate: 66.7% vs. secondary: 27.6%), prior child diagnosis (80.3% awareness in affected parents vs. 26.3% in others), and frequent ENT visits (67.4% vs. 9.4% in non-visitors) correlated with better awareness. Males (28.8% good awareness) and suburban/rural residents (21.3%) exhibited lower knowledge. Conclusion: Significant gaps persist in parental understanding of adenoid hypertrophy, particularly regarding long-term complications. Targeted educational initiatives, leveraging healthcare provider interactions and digital platforms, are critical to enhancing awareness. Improving parental knowledge could facilitate early diagnosis, reduce complications, and optimize pediatric health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.