A 4-year-old has recurrent acute tonsillitis meeting the Paradise criteria for tonsillectomy. According to Paradise criteria, the minimum number of documented throat infections per year for 2 consecutive years that qualifies a child for tonsillectomy is:
- A 5 per year for 2 years ✓
- B 3 per year for 2 years
- C 7 per year for 1 year
- D 5 per year for 3 years
Correct answer: A. 5 per year for 2 years
Explanation
Paradise criteria define clinically significant recurrent tonsillitis qualifying for tonsillectomy as: 7 or more episodes in 1 year, OR 5 or more per year for 2 consecutive years, OR 3 or more per year for 3 consecutive years, with each episode documented by temperature >38.3°C, cervical lymphadenopathy, tonsillar exudate, or positive streptococcal culture. The minimum is 5/year for 2 years.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.