Tonsillar hypertrophy and prolapse in a child – is epiglottitis a predisposing factor for sudden unexpected death

Tonsillitis, with associated tonsillar hypertrophy, is a common disease of childhood, yet it is rarely associated with sudden death due to airway obstruction. Lethal complications involving the inflamed tonsils include haemorrhage, retropharyngeal abscess and disseminated sepsis.