What can cause obstructive sleep apnea in children that already have their adenoids & tonsils out?

Other causes: An enlarged tongue, a retruded lower jaw, excess tissue in the soft palate, a deviated septum, enlarged nose turbinates or nasal polyps can all contribute to obstructive sleep apnes. Check with your doctor.

Small airway: Other constrictions to air can be the entire pathway of air. Both hard and soft tissues can be naturally small or narrow, creating decreased or even blocked flow. See your doctor for an evaluation.

Obesity: Obesity is the most common cause of persistent sleep apnea after tonsil and adenoid surgery in children.

Small lower jaw: The mandible (lower jaw) supports the forward suspension of the tongue muscles. If the mandible is hypoplastic (smaller than it should be, the tongue may be falling back at night and partially occluding the airway. Look at the profile of someone. The chin's furthest point forward should roughly allign with a spot above the upper lip/below the nose. Some kids have slow mandibular growth.

Other obstructions: Other airway blockage. Small jaw, large tongue, small air tubes. Have patient evaluated by sleep MD.