Skin prick test and tonsil size in children: any relation?

We hypothesized, allergic reactions of the tonsillar mucosa may cause secondary lymphoid hypertrophy in children. To evaluate this, we compared tonsil sizes and skin prick test results. Children of ages 6-12 years were divided into two groups according to the results of the skin prick tests (SPT), as atopic and non-atopic groups. All tonsil sizes were evaluated by the same observer using the Brodsky L. Scala. No statistically meaningful difference was found between the tonsil sizes of the atopic and the non-atopic groups of children. No statistically meaningful correlation was found between tonsil sizes and allergen sensitivity degrees. Even though some highly allergic children were observed to have large tonsils, it was not statistically meaningful. Since no correlation is found between SPT and tonsil sizes, allergy may not be an etiologic factor of tonsillar hypertrophy in children.