Chronic Tonsillitis with Anemia in Children: A Case Report

Abstract

Chronic tonsillitis is a persistent inflammation of the palatine tonsils, frequently occurring in children and potentially leading to systemic complications, including anemia. This report discusses a 10-year-old female patient presenting with recurrent painful swallowing for 3 months, accompanied by fever, noisy breathing ("grok-grok"), and snoring. Physical examination revealed grade T4-T4 hypertrophic tonsils, erythematous, with detritus. A complete blood count showed anemia (Hb 12.3 g/dL) with normocytic normochromic erythrocyte indices. The patient was diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis and anemia, suspected to be related to the chronic inflammatory process (anemia of chronic disease). Initial management included pharmacotherapy, with tonsillectomy planned as definitive therapy to eliminate the chronic infection focus. This case illustrates the importance of comprehensive evaluation of hematological status in children with chronic tonsillitis.