RESUMEN
<b>Aim:</b> The aim of the current study was to assess the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and ghrelin in hypertrophied adenoids in children suffering with or without otitis media with effusion before and after adenoidectomy. <br><b>Material and methods:</b> Serum IGF-1 and ghrelin concentrations were measured with specific enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) methods. The study was carried out in 20 children with otitis media with effusion. The reference group comprised 24 children with hypertrophied adenoid, while control group included 19 children. <br><b>Results:</b> This mean values of IGF-1 in children with otitis media with effusion and children with hypertrophied adenoid before adenoidectomy were significantly lower than those found in healthy children. Serum levels of IGF-1 were higher after adenoidectomy. There was a significant difference of serum ghrelin levels between both examined groups and the control group. <br><b>Conclusion:</b> Our results suggest that adenoidectomy in children with hypertrophied adenoids and in children with otitis media with effusion significantly increases the level of IGF-1 in serum compared to before surgery through the effect of the GH-IGF-1 axis, which could contribute to children's growth.
