The relationship between otitis media with effusion and contact with other children in a british cohort studied from 8 months to 3 1/2 years. The ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood

Otitis Media With Effusion After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Return to the Past and New Lessons

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) among children who attended a tertiary level audiologic center 2 and 3 years after the COVID-19 lockdown, and to determine the impact of temporary interruption of day care center attendance on chronic OME.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary level referral audiologic center.

METHODS

We assessed the prevalence of OME among children aged 6 months to 12 years in 3 different periods (May-June 2022, January-February 2023, and May-June 2023) and compared the results with those of the corresponding periods before the COVID-19 lockdown. We also compared the disease resolution rates between a subgroup of children with chronic OME who interrupted day care center attendance for a 2-month period (Subgroup A) and a similar subgroup who continued attending day care centers (Subgroup B).

RESULTS

The prevalence of OME was 38.5% (138/358) in May-June 2022, 51.9% (193/372) in January-February 2023, and 40.9% (149/364) in May-June 2023. No significant prevalence differences were observed between the periods May-June 2019, May-June 2022, and May-June 2023 (P = .78), and between the periods January-February 2020 and January-February 2023 (P = .93). At the May-June 2023 assessment, the children belonging to Subgroup A presented a greater rate of disease resolution (85.7%, 18/21) than the children belonging to Subgroup B (32%, 8/25, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the prevalence of OME has returned to prelockdown levels, and that interrupting day care center attendance for a 2-month period could be effective in resolving most cases of chronic OME.

Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children

BACKGROUND

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear cavity, common amongst young children. The fluid may cause hearing loss. When persistent, it may lead to behavioural problems and a delay in expressive language skills. Management of OME includes watchful waiting, medical, surgical and mechanical treatment. Autoinflation is a self-administered technique, which aims to ventilate the middle ear and encourage middle ear fluid clearance by providing a positive pressure of air in the nose and nasopharynx (using a nasal balloon or other handheld device). This positive pressure (sometimes combined with simultaneous swallow) encourages opening of the Eustachian tube and may help ventilate the middle ear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy (benefits and harms) of autoinflation for the treatment of otitis media with effusion in children.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane ENT Information Specialist searched the Cochrane ENT Register; Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; Web of Science; ClinicalTrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 20 January 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials in children aged 6 months to 12 years with unilateral or bilateral OME. We included studies that compared autoinflation with either watchful waiting (no treatment), non-surgical treatment or ventilation tubes.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were determined following a multi-stakeholder prioritisation exercise and were: 1) hearing, 2) OME-specific quality of life and 3) pain and distress. Secondary outcomes were: 1) persistence of OME, 2) other adverse effects (including eardrum perforation), 3) compliance or adherence to treatment, 4) receptive language skills, 5) speech development, 6) cognitive development, 7) psychosocial skills, 8) listening skills, 9) generic health-related quality of life, 10) parental stress, 11) vestibular function and 12) episodes of acute otitis media. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. Although we included all measures of hearing assessment, the proportion of children who returned to normal hearing was our preferred method to assess hearing, due to challenges in interpreting the results of mean hearing thresholds.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 11 completed studies that met our inclusion criteria (1036 participants). The majority of studies included children aged between 3 and 11 years. Most were carried out in Europe or North America, and they were conducted in both hospital and community settings. All compared autoinflation (using a variety of different methods and devices) to no treatment. Most studies required children to carry out autoinflation two to three times per day, for between 2 and 12 weeks. The outcomes were predominantly assessed just after the treatment phase had been completed. Here we report the effects at the longest follow-up for our main outcome measures. Return to normal hearing The evidence was very uncertain regarding the effect of autoinflation on the return to normal hearing. The longest duration of follow-up was 11 weeks. At this time point, the risk ratio was 2.67 in favour of autoinflation (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73 to 4.12; 85% versus 32%; number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) 2; 1 study, 94 participants), but the certainty of the evidence was very low. Disease-specific quality of life Autoinflation may result in a moderate improvement in quality of life (related to otitis media) after short-term follow-up. One study assessed quality of life using the Otitis Media Questionnaire-14 (OMQ-14) at three months of follow-up. Results were reported as the number of standard deviations above or below zero difference, with a range from -3 (better) to +3 (worse). The mean difference was -0.42 lower (better) for those who received autoinflation (95% CI -0.62 to -0.22; 1 study, 247 participants; low-certainty evidence; the authors report a change of 0.3 as clinically meaningful). Pain and distress caused by the procedure Autoinflation may result in an increased risk of ear pain, but the evidence was very uncertain. One study assessed this outcome, and identified a risk ratio of 3.50 for otalgia in those who received autoinflation, although the overall occurrence of pain was low (95% CI 0.74 to 16.59; 4.4% versus 1.3%; number needed to treat to harm (NNTH) 32; 1 study, 320 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Persistence of OME The evidence suggests that autoinflation may slightly reduce the persistence of OME at three months. Four studies were included, and the risk ratio for persistence of OME was 0.88 for those receiving autoinflation (95% CI 0.80 to 0.97; 4 studies, 483 participants; absolute reduction of 89 people per 1000 with persistent OME; NNTB 12; low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

All the evidence we identified was of low or very low certainty, meaning that we have little confidence in the estimated effects. However, the data suggest that autoinflation may have a beneficial effect on OME-specific quality of life and persistence of OME in the short term, but the effect is uncertain for return to normal hearing and adverse effects. The potential benefits should be weighed against the inconvenience of regularly carrying out autoinflation, and the possible risk of ear pain.

Surgery for adenotonsillar hypertrophy and otitis media in children is less demanded in quarantine times

OBJECTIVES

In the COVID-19 era, extreme measures of social distancing have contained the spread of common viral respiratory infections, which are involved in the pathogenesis of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy (ATH), and Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion (COME), the two commonest chronic ENT diseases of childhood. This study examines the lockdown effect on the number of procedures performed for these two conditions.

METHODS

The consecutive charts of 650 and 195 children being operated respectively for ATH and COME during the quarantine (05/2020-02/2021) and unrestrained (05/2019-02/2020) periods were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical treatment of ankyloglossia, performed in 103 patients during the same periods was employed as a control procedure.

RESULTS

Adenotonsillectomies and tympanostomies significantly decreased in the lockdown phase by 52% (P < 0.001) and 74% (P < 0.001), respectively, whereas control procedure counts increased by 25%. In terms of seasonal variation, ATH-related surgeries were significantly reduced during the winter season of the pandemic by 73% (P < 0.001), in comparison with the corresponding months of the unrestrained period. School-aged children received significantly fewer operations for ATH (-59%) than preschoolers (-42%), as a result of the lockdown (P = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

When the child's exposure to respiratory pathogens is minimal, as in the case of lockdown, a noticeable decline occurs in the incidence of ATH and COME indicated for surgical treatment. Chronic low-grade inflammation, boosted by repetitive viral infections seems to underlie both conditions. Timely, effective isolation measures might reverse the disease process and keep the child away from the Operating Room.

Association between maternal insecticide use and otitis media in one-year-old children in the Japan Environment and Children's Study

Otitis media (OM) is common among young children and is related to hearing loss. We investigated the association between maternal insecticide use, from conception to the first and second/third trimesters, and OM events in children in the first year of age. Data from Japan Environment and Children's Study were used in this prospective cohort study. Characteristics of patients with and without history of OM during the first year of age were compared. The association between history of OM in the first year and insecticide use was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The study enrolled 98,255 infants. There was no significant difference in the frequency of insecticide use between groups. Insecticide use of more than once a week from conception to the first trimester significantly increased the occurrence of OM in children in the first year (odds ratio [OR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.67). The association between OM in the first year and insecticide use from conception to the first trimester was only significant in the group without daycare attendance (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.30–2.38). Maternal insecticide use more than once a week from conception to the first trimester significantly increased OM risk in offspring without daycare attendance.

Allergy and Otitis Media in Clinical Practice

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Otitis media (OM) is a disease with very high prevalence in infancy, substantial burden on healthcare resources, and relevant impact on the quality of life of families. The link between OM and allergy is controversial and still debated. However, a fundamental premise has to be placed before introducing this topic: there is the need to use clear and unambiguous terms. Literature abounds with misleading terms that significantly affect the methodology and consequently the outcomes. Moreover, it is essential to differentiate patients according to the OM type (i.e., acute OM, OM with effusion, and chronic suppurative OM), the allergic disease, and mainly the age.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are some recent studies exploring this issue through different approaches, such as epidemiological, mechanistic, and therapeutic. To identify allergy as a pathogenic factor for OM could improve the management of OM patients. Vice versa, to suspect allergy in OM patients could be reasonable in selected patients. The current narrative review provides an overview of the evidence concerning the potential role of allergy in OM. As there are conflicting findings, a possible interpretation of pathophysiological events and a pragmatic approach are proposed.

Vitamin D and Otitis Media

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine the relationship between vitamin D and otitis media.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with several respiratory diseases, including otitis media. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of otitis media. This relationship may be explained by vitamin D supporting the immune system by upregulating antimicrobial peptides which are effective against otopathogens and biofilm formation, supporting a less inflammatory immune response, or promoting beneficial commensal bacteria. This review will explore risk factors of both otitis media and vitamin D deficiency, the evidence of vitamin D being beneficial for various forms of otitis media, and possible mechanisms of action.

Determinants of chronic otitis media with effusion in preschool children: a case-control study

Background

Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) is a prevalent upper airway infection resulting in hearing loss. The aim of this research was to determine risk factors for COME in preschool children.

Methods

A case–control design was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand from May 2011 until November 2013. The cases were children aged 3 and 4 years referred for tympanostomy tube placement due to a diagnosis of COME (n = 178). The controls were a random sample of healthy children aged 3 and 4 years from primary care practices (n = 209). The children’s guardians completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire that covered topics including socio-demographic information, pregnancy and birth, infant feeding practices, home environment, and respiratory health. In addition, skin prick tests for atopy were performed. Odds ratios (OR) estimating the risk of COME independently associated with the exposures were calculated using a logistic regression model.

Results

Children with COME frequently had nasal obstruction (OR: 4.38 [95% CI: 2.37–8.28]), always snored (OR: 3.64 [95% CI: 1.51–9.15]) or often snored (OR: 2.45 [95% CI: 1.04–5.96]), spent more hours per week in daycare (OR per hour/week: 1.03 [95% CI: 1.00–1.05]), had frequent colds (OR: 2.67 [95% CI: 1.59–4.53]), had siblings who had undergone tympanostomy tube placement (OR: 2.68 [95% CI: 1.22–6.02]), underwent long labour (OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 1.03–6.79]), and had early introduction of cow’s milk (OR: 1.76 [95% CI: 1.05–2.97]). Asian ethnicity (OR: 0.20 [95% CI: 0.07–0.53]) and having older siblings (OR: 0.54 [95% CI: 0.31–0.93]) were inversely associated with COME.

Conclusion

COME in preschool children was associated with pathogen exposure, respiratory infection, and nasal obstruction. Strategies to prevent pathogen transmission warrant investigation. The novel findings of long labour and early cow’s milk introduction require replication in future studies.

Otitis media with effusion: an effort to understand and clarify the uncertainties

Otitis media with effusion--defined as the accumulation of middle-ear effusion behind an intact tympanic membrane without signs or symptoms of acute infection--is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in children in developed countries, potentially leading to language deficits. Although treatment of chronic or relapsing otitis media with effusion is considered imperative, none of the preventative or nonsurgical management measures currently available have proven effective. Tympanostomy tube placement remains the recommended treatment option for high-risk children or for cases of unresponsive otitis media with effusion. This can be attributed to the uncertainties surrounding its pathogenesis. Multiple factors and several possible pathogenetic models have been proposed to explain the production and persistence of middle-ear effusion; only a few of them are supported by sufficient evidence. In this review, the authors will present current knowledge on the pathogenesis, consequences, diagnosis and management of otitis media with effusion. An effort will be made to clarify those aspects sufficiently supported by evidence-based studies, and to underline those that remain unfounded.

Otitis media and ear tubes

The placement of myringotomy tubes remains an effective treatment of recurrent acute otitis media and chronic otitis media with effusion. Infants and young children are prone to these entities because of their immature anatomy and immunology. Several host, pathogenic, and environmental factors contribute to the development of these conditions. The identification and modification of some these factors can preclude the need for intervention. The procedure continues to be one of the most common outpatient pediatric procedures. Close vigilance and identification of potential complications is of utmost importance in the ongoing management of the child with middle ear disease.

Otitis media

Otitis media represents a broad spectrum of disease, which include acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. As immunization with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has become more widespread, the microbiological landscape of otitis media has changed, which affects the treatment options facing clinicians worldwide. This review discusses the diagnosis and medical management of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media, the changes noted over the past decade, and briefly expounds on the surgical management of their severe complications.

Genetic background and the risk of otitis media

OBJECTIVE

Otitis media is a multifactorial disease where genetic background may have an important role. For genome-wide association studies, it is important to understand the degree of heritability. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of recurrent acute otitis media and chronic otitis media with effusion.

METHODS

Children operated because of recurrent or chronic otitis media at the Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland, as well as their families were recruited during 2008-2009. A cohort of 2436 subjects was enrolled consisting of 1279 children and their parents. The study subjects answered a questionnaire concerning their otitis media history and treatment, as well as tobacco exposure, allergy and asthma history. Heritability estimates were calculated for recurrent acute, chronic and any episodes of otitis media using software especially designed for estimating heritability in family cohorts.

RESULTS

Altogether 901 subjects suffered from recurrent otitis media and 559 from chronic otitis media with effusion. The heritability estimates in our cohort were 38.5% for recurrent (P=7.3 × 10(-9)), 22.1% for chronic (P=4.6 × 10(-3)) and 47.8% for any otitis media (P=1.5 × 10(-11)).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a moderately strong and statistically significant genetic component for both recurrent acute otitis media and chronic otitis media with effusion. These results highlight the importance of unraveling the genetic factors for otitis media that are still poorly known.

Risk factors for failing the hearing screen due to otitis media in Dutch infants

Hearing loss from otitis media (OM) can affect young children's development. Some children with persistent OM-related hearing loss and associated problems can benefit from treatment, but researchers and clinicians are still unclear on how to identify them best. The present study aims to determine which factors are most related to the hearing loss in OM, as a first step towards an effective case-finding instrument for detecting infants with persistent OM-related hearing loss. The full PEPPER ('Persistent Ear Problems, Providing Evidence for Referral') item pool includes a wide range of risk factors for OM in a single questionnaire, and is easily completed by parents or guardians. The questionnaire was sent to all children invited for the universal hearing screen at age 9 months in Limburg, The Netherlands. Repeatedly failing of the hearing screen was used as outcome marker indicative of OM-related chronic hearing loss. Univariate analyses were conducted to determine statistically significant risk factors predicting 'fail' cases at this hearing screen. Five items were found as individually predictive of hearing screen failure and subsequent referral: 'having severe cold symptoms', 'attending day care with >4 children', 'having siblings', 'severe nasal congestion' and 'male gender'. Suitably worded parental questions document risk factors for OM-related hearing loss in infants, broadly consistent with past general literature on OM risk factors, but more focused. The findings justify further optimising and evaluation of an additive or multiplicative combination of these questions as a means for selecting and routing an infant with diagnosed or suspected OM to further care.

Natural history of pediatric tympanic membrane perforation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the natural history of pediatric tympanic membrane perforation using an existing clinical database, with the aim of defining the time beyond which a perforation is unlikely to close naturally.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary center.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

A database of pediatric ear, nose, throat, and audiology consultations containing 20 years of data was analyzed. A total of 2865 episodes of perforation were followed, with all cases of surgical reconstruction excluded. Cases of perforation after ventilation tube extrusion were tagged. Statistical techniques including survival analysis were used.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time from diagnosis of perforation to diagnosis of closure, in years.

RESULTS

There was a predominance of perforations in boys (59.1% versus 40.9%). Time to closure increased by 7% for each 1-year increase in age at diagnosis. Time-to-closure curves for children older than 12 years diverged considerably from those for younger children after approximately 18 months. Centiles of time to closure were calculated for each 1-year age band. After 2.5 years of follow-up, rates of closure were 90% in children diagnosed younger than 7 years and 75% in children diagnosed between the age of 7 and 12 years. No significant difference was found in time to closure between boys and girls, left-sided and right-sided perforations, or in ventilation tube-related perforations and others. Comparison of membranes suffering a first perforation with those suffering a second perforation suggested a borderline significant time-to-closure disadvantage for first perforations.

CONCLUSION

When faced with the clinical question of what period of watchful waiting would be appropriate in monitoring a perforated tympanic membrane, before intervention may reasonably be recommended; there seems to be little advantage in waiting longer than 2.5 years.

Poor adherence to antibiotic prescribing guidelines in acute otitis media--obstacles, implications, and possible solutions

Many countries now have guidelines on the clinical management of acute otitis media. In almost all, the public health goal of containing acquired resistance in bacteria through reduced antibiotic prescribing is the main aim and basis for recommendations. Despite some partial short-term successes, clinical activity databases and opinion surveys suggest that such restrictive guidelines are not followed closely, so this aim is not achieved. Radical new solutions are needed to tackle irrationalities in healthcare systems which set the short-term physician-patient relationship against long-term public health. Resolving this opposition will require comprehensive policy appraisal and co-ordinated actions at many levels, not just dissemination of evidence and promotion of guidelines. The inappropriate clinical rationales that underpin non-compliance with guidelines can be questioned by evidence, but also need specific developments promoting alternative solutions, within a framework of whole-system thinking. Promising developments would be (a) physician training modules on age-appropriate analgesia and on detection plus referral of rare complications like mastoiditis, and (b) vaccination against the most common and serious bacterial pathogens.

Otitis media with effusion in children and its correlation with foreign body in the external auditory canal

Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) is difined as the chronic accumulation of mucus within the middle ear and sometimes the mastoid air cell system. Significant hearing loss may go unnoticed and may result in improper development of speech and language. Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal of paediatric patients are commonly encountered in day-to-day practice. The purpose was to see if there is any relation between foreign bodies in ears and otitis media with effusion. A prospective study of consecutive cases was conducted between August 2005 and August 2007 at a teaching hospital. All children presenting with the history of a foreign body in the external auditory canal were included in this study. 50/74 that is 67.8% of the children in the study group had abnormal findings in the tympanogram whereas only 28/74 that is 37.8% children from the control group had abnormal findings in tympanogram. This study indicates that significant eustachian tube dysfunction to frank OME, causes irritation and/or earache in children which may compel them to put things into the ear. So children with an external auditory foreign body must be followed up in an ENT clinic. This may be an early opportunity to diagnose an underlying undetected OME and/or eustachian tube dysfunction in children, preventing the development of any complication from the undetected OME.

Burden of otitis media and pneumonia in children up to 6 years of age: results of the LISA birth cohort

Infections play an important role in childhood. For Germany, few data are available on the epidemiology of infectious diseases such as otitis media and pneumonia in children. We therefore described the prevalence, first episode proportions and recurrence of these childhood infection diseases in selected regions of Germany in children up to 6 years of age. The analysis was based on data from the LISA Study, a prospective population-based birth cohort study including 3,097 full-term infants. Information was collected by parent questionnaire. The first episode proportions for the first 6 years of life were high for otitis media (66.7%; 95%CI 0.65-0.69) and pneumonia (13.5%; 95%CI 0.12-0.15). The annual first episode proportions for otitis media ranged from 7.3% to 25.6% and for pneumonia from 1.4% to 3.4%; both peaked during the second year. The average number of otitis media episodes was 2.2 (SD 2.0) episodes per child within the first 2 years. During the first 2 years of life, hospitalisations due to otitis and pneumonia occurred in up to 7.8 per thousand and 3.0 per thousand of the children, respectively. On average, 50.6% of the children with otitis media were treated with antibiotics during the first year of life. In conclusion, this analysis shows that infectious diseases, especially otitis media, are very frequent childhood diseases in Germany. Thus, parents and physicians should not per se worry about a high frequency of otitis media during early childhood.

Nesting sub-studies and randomised controlled trials within birth cohort studies

Although birth cohort studies can stand on their own, there are a number of different types of sub-studies that can add value to the overall project. These can be summarised within four main categories: (A) more detailed observations of relatively small subgroups aimed at describing mechanisms and processes; (B) nested case-control studies; (C) use of detailed observations to validate data collection by questionnaire or interview; (D) randomised controlled trials. For each category we give examples of ways in which they have been employed in current pregnancy birth cohort studies.

Absent otoacoustic emissions predict otitis media in young Aboriginal children: a birth cohort study in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in an arid zone of Western Australia

BACKGROUND

Otitis media (OM) is the most common paediatric illness for which antibiotics are prescribed. In Australian Aboriginal children OM is frequently asymptomatic and starts at a younger age, is more common and more likely to result in hearing loss than in non-Aboriginal children. Absent transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) may predict subsequent risk of OM.

METHODS

100 Aboriginal and 180 non-Aboriginal children in a semi-arid zone of Western Australia were followed regularly from birth to age 2 years. Tympanometry was conducted at routine field follow-up from age 3 months. Routine clinical examination by an ENT specialist was to be done 3 times and hearing assessment by an audiologist twice. TEOAEs were measured at ages <1 and 1-2 months. Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the association between absent TEOAEs and subsequent risk of OM.

RESULTS

At routine ENT specialist clinics, OM was detected in 55% of 184 examinations in Aboriginal children and 26% of 392 examinations in non-Aboriginal children; peak prevalence was 72% at age 5-9 months in Aboriginal children and 40% at 10-14 months in non-Aboriginal children. Moderate-severe hearing loss was present in 32% of 47 Aboriginal children and 7% of 120 non-Aboriginal children aged 12 months or more. TEOAE responses were present in 90% (46/51) of Aboriginal children and 99% (120/121) of non-Aboriginal children aged <1 month and in 62% (21/34) and 93% (108/116), respectively, in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children at age 1-2 months. Aboriginal children who failed TEOAE at age 1-2 months were 2.6 times more likely to develop OM subsequently than those who passed. Overall prevalence of type B tympanograms at field follow-up was 50% (n = 78) in Aboriginal children and 20% (n = 95) in non-Aboriginal children.

CONCLUSION

The burden of middle ear disease is high in all children, but particularly in Aboriginal children, one-third of whom suffer from moderate-severe hearing loss. In view of the frequently silent nature of OM, every opportunity must be taken to screen for OM. Measurement of TEOAEs at age 1-2 months to identify children at risk of developing OM should be evaluated in a routine health service setting.

Acute otitis media in children: association with day care centers--antibacterial resistance, treatment, and prevention

Children attending day care centers (DCCs) frequently carry antibacterial-resistant organisms in their nasopharynx, leading to acute otitis media (AOM) that may be refractory to antibacterial treatment. The development and spread of resistant organisms are facilitated in DCCs as a result of the following: (i) large numbers of children; (ii) frequent close person-to-person contact; and (iii) a wide use of antimicrobial medications. Intensive antimicrobial usage provides the selection pressure that favors the emergence of resistant organisms, while DCCs provide an ideal environment for transmission of these organisms. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians' guidelines recommend high-dose amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (rather than amoxicillin alone) as the first therapeutic choice in the treatment of AOM in children attending DCCs. The introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV7) had a major role in decreasing the number of episodes of Streptococccus pneumoniae AOM secondary to the serotypes included in the vaccine. It also had a major role in reducing the nasopharyngeal carriage of vaccine-type S. pneumoniae (and in particular of antibacterial-resistant organisms), preventing, in this way, its spread to contacts in the community. However, the recent observation of increased rates of antibacterial-resistant non-vaccine serotype S. pneumoniae may erode the success of PCV7.

The effect of passive smoking on the risk of otitis media in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region of Western Australia

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk of otitis media (OM) associated with passive smoking in young children, and any competing effect between passive smoking and childcare attendance.

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Prospective cohort study of 100 Aboriginal and 180 non-Aboriginal children born in Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital between 1 April 1999 and 31 January 2003. These children underwent routine clinical examinations by an ear, nose and throat specialist up to three times before the age of 2 years, and tympanometry at routine field follow-up visits from the age of 4 months. Childrens' mothers were interviewed at 1-3 weeks postpartum to provide sociodemographic data.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Associations between OM and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and childcare attendance.

RESULTS

82 Aboriginal and 157 non-Aboriginal children attended for routine clinical examinations. OM was diagnosed at least once in 74% of Aboriginal children and 45% of non-Aboriginal children; 64% of Aboriginal children and 40% of non-Aboriginal children were exposed to ETS. Exposure to ETS increased the risk of specialist-diagnosed OM in Aboriginal children (OR, 3.54; 95% CI, 1.68-7.47); few attended childcare. Non-Aboriginal children exposed to ETS but not attending childcare were at increased risk of OM (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.07-3.42) while those attending childcare had no increased smoking-related risk. Tympanometry was performed on 87 Aboriginal and 168 non-Aboriginal children; a type B tympanogram (suggesting fluid in the middle ear) was also associated with passive smoking in Aboriginal children.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing the exposure of children to ETS is a public health priority, especially for the Aboriginal population. A smoke-free environment will help reduce the burden of OM.

The incidence, prevalence and burden of OM in unselected children aged 1-8 years followed by weekly otoscopy through the "common cold" season

BACKGROUND

There is a continuing interest in defining the incidence, prevalence and burden of otitis media (OM) in the individual and population for purposes of assigning "risk factors". Often overlooked in past studies are the contributions of cold-like illnesses (CLIs) and sampling interval to those estimates.

OBJECTIVE

Describe the incidence of symptomatic (AOM) and asymptomatic (OME) OM, the prevalence of OM, the contribution of CLI incidence, burden and other OM "risk factors" to the incidence and burden of OM, and the effect of sampling interval on those measures in children.

METHODS

148 children (74 male; 131 white, aged 1.0-8.6 years) were followed from November 1 to April 30 by weekly pneumatic otoscopy to diagnose OM presence/absence and by daily parental diary to assign CLI episodes. Data for previously identified OM "risk factors" were collected on 127. Results were summarized using standard measures of incidence, prevalence and burden, and multiple regression techniques were used to identify OM "risk factors".

RESULTS

The basal OM prevalence was 20% with peaks in December and March and the temporal pattern was correlated with CLI prevalence. The incidence of OME (per 27,232 child-days) was 317, AOM was 74 and CLI was 456. The seasonal pattern of AOM and OME incidences tracked and was correlated with that for CLIs. New OM episodes were usually of short duration (<or=7 days in 40%, <or=4 weeks in 75-90%) and the usual OM burden was low (median=12%). OM and breastfeeding histories and CLI incidence/prevalence were significant predictors of OME and AOM incidence and OM burden. Longer sampling intervals were less efficient in capturing AOM and OME durations and incidences, but not OM burden.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate a high incidence and prevalence of OM, most OM episodes were of short duration and longer sampling intervals introduced biases into some parameter estimates. There was a significant relationship between OM and CLI incidence, prevalence and burden suggesting that CLI experience should be controlled for in assessing independent "risk factors" for AOM and OME.

Early acute otitis media: predictor for AOM and respiratory infections in schoolchildren?

OBJECTIVE

It has been reported that acute otitis media (AOM) and respiratory infectious morbidity still are common in schoolchildren. However, the significance of early initiation of AOM on later respiratory infections is not known. The aim of the study was to assess whether early initiation of AOM is a predictor for AOM and other respiratory infections in schoolchildren, and if environmental exposures and host factors in early life predict later AOM.

METHODS

A population-based, prospective study of 3754 children born in Oslo in 1992/93, of which 2549 children were followed from birth to 10 years. Main outcome measures were questionnaire-based information on AOM and other respiratory infections at ages 6 months, 1 year and 10 years.

RESULTS

Of the 190 (5.3%) children with one or more episodes of AOM before 6 months, 97 (51.1%) remained susceptible the next 6 months. The total number of children with one or more episodes of AOM from 6 to 12 months was 812 (25.1%). Of the 336 (13.2%) with AOM at 10, 95 (28.3%) also had AOM the first year of life. One or more episodes of tonsillopharyngitis or lower respiratory infections were experienced in 624 (24.4%) of the children at 10 years. There was a predominance of boys with AOM the first year of life, while girls were more prone to AOM at age 10. AOM the first year of life was not strongly associated with AOM at age 10 with crude and adjusted odds ratios 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.6) and 1.2 (95% CI 0.9-1.5), respectively. A corresponding tendency was found for other respiratory infections (tonsillopharyngitis or lower respiratory infections) at age 10. Tobacco smoke exposure at birth, early life atopic eczema and otitis media surgery increased the risk of AOM at age 10.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no strong association between early AOM and AOM and other respiratory infections in schoolchildren. Parental smoking at birth, early life atopic eczema and female gender were only weakly associated with AOM in 10-year olds while otitis media surgery was strongly associated with AOM in schoolchildren.

Pacific Islands Families Study: risk factors associated with otitis media with effusion among Pacific 2-year-old children

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the risk factors associated with middle ear disease in a cohort of Pacific 2-year-old children residing in New Zealand.

METHODS

The data were gathered as part of the Pacific Island Families: first 2 years of life (PIF) study in which 656 2-year-old were screened using tympanometry to identify children at risk for otitis media with effusion (OME) and other otological disorders.

RESULTS

Within this 2-year-old cohort of Pacific children, one set of factors significantly associated with OME was clustered around the respiratory and auditory health of the child over the past year. OME was more likely for children who were regularly suffering from fluid/pus discharge from ears (OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.01-4.35), children with five or more coughs/colds in the last year (OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.22-3.00), and children who frequently/constantly snored (OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.09-6.23) to have OME. Those children who were treated at home for breathing problems were more that two times more likely to have OME (OR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.55-4.42). A second set of factors was clustered around environmental risks that exposed children to a large number of other children. Children who attended a day care centre for more than 20h were five times more likely (OR=5.21, 95% CI: 2.90-9.35) and those who regularly attended church (OR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.05-7.40) were almost three times more likely to have OME.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings portray a child compromised by persistent ear infections and general coughs and colds as being at increased risk of contracting OME. In line with international research these findings raise questions about the negative child health effects associated with the day care environment for young children.

Respiratory infections in schoolchildren: co-morbidity and risk factors

AIMS

To assess co-morbidity and risk factors for otitis media, tonsillopharyngitis, and lower respiratory infections in school children.

METHODS

Logistic regression analysis of co-morbidity and risk factors for airway infections in a population based sample of 10 year old children living in Oslo, Norway.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

otitis media, tonsillopharyngitis, and lower respiratory infections in past 12 months.

RESULTS

Airway infections in 10 year old children were common, and significant co-morbidity was found between the various airway infections. Home dampness was a risk factor for all infections, adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) to 1.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.6) for otitis media and tonsillopharyngitis respectively. Atopic disease was a constitutional risk factor, particularly strong for lower airway infections (adjusted odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.1). African or Asian ethnicities were associated with the airway infections, adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7) to 1.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory tract infections were common in 10 year old children. There was substantial co-morbidity between upper and lower airway infections. Environmental and constitutional factors were identified and positively associated with the infections. Results support the hypothesis of 1957 that the whole respiratory tract is one unit.

Increased rates of ENT surgery among young children: have clinical guidelines made a difference?

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between introduction of paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery guidelines and population procedure rates. To determine changes in children's risk of undergoing ENT surgery.

METHODS

Trend analysis of incidence of myringotomy, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy among New South Wales (NSW) children aged 0-14 between 1981 and mid 1999. Poisson regression models were used to estimate annual rates of change pre and postguidelines introduction and age/gender specific rates, and lifetable methods to determine risk of undergoing an ENT procedure by age 15.

RESULTS

ENT surgery rates increased by 21% over the study period. Children's risk of surgery increased from 17.9% in 1981 to 20.2% in 1998/99. Guideline introduction was associated with moderate short-term decreases in rates. For tonsillectomy, rates decreased between 1981 and 1983, but then rose continually until the introduction of myringotomy guidelines in 1993, when they fell, only to recommence rising until the end of the study period. For myringotomy, rates rose annually from 1981 to 1992/93 and fell in the 3 years following guideline introduction, after which they rose again. Increases were almost exclusively restricted to children aged 0-4 and correspond with increased use of formal childcare. The prevalence of myringotomy by the age of 5 years rose from 5.6% of children born in 1988/89 to 6.4% of those born in 1994/95, and the prevalence of tonsillectomy from 2.4% to 2.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of young Australian children undergoing ENT surgery increased significantly over the last two decades despite the introduction of guidelines and no evidence of an increase in otitis media, one condition prompting surgery. Surgery increased most among the very young. We hypothesize this is related to increasing use of childcare.

Otitis media

Otitis media (OM) continues to be one of the most common childhood infections and is a major cause of morbidity in children. The pathogenesis of OM is multifactorial, involving the adaptive and native immune system, Eustachian-tube dysfunction, viral and bacterial load, and genetic and environmental factors. Initial observation seems to be suitable for many children with OM, but only if appropriate follow-up can be assured. In children younger than 2 years with a certain diagnosis of acute OM, antibiotics are advised. Surgical candidacy depends on associated symptoms, the child's developmental risk, and the anticipated chance of timely spontaneous resolution of the effusion. The recommended approach for surgery is to start with tympanostomy tube placement, eventually followed by adenoidectomy. The ideal intervention for OM, however, does not yet exist, and an urgent need remains to explore new and creative options based on modern insights into the pathophysiology of OM.

Parent-reported language skills in relation to otitis media during the first 3 years of life

As part of a larger study of the potential impact of early-life otitis media (OM) on speech, language, cognition, and behavior, we studied the degree of association between parent-reported language scores at ages 1, 2, and 3 years and the cumulative duration of middle-ear effusion (MEE) during the first 3 years of life in a demographically diverse sample of 621 children. We estimated the cumulative percentage of days with MEE from prospective monthly observations of middle-ear status and interpolations for periods between visits. For each child, parents completed the appropriate inventory of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDI; L. Fenson et al., 1993) at ages 1, 2, and 3 years. We also evaluated the contribution of maternal education, as a proxy for socioeconomic status, to scores on the parent reports. Scores on the new CDI-III (B. Oliver et al., in press) varied positively with sociodemographic variables and were significantly correlated with scores from the CDI used when the children were younger. Unadjusted correlations between scores at ages 1 and 2 years and the percentages of days with MEE in the respective antecedent periods were statistically nonsignificant or of questionable clinical importance. The correlations between parent-reported scores at age 3 years and children's cumulative percentage of days with MEE in Years 1, 2, and 3 combined ranged from -.187 to -.248 (all p values < .001). The percentage of days with MEE and maternal education each contributed independently to scores at age 3 years. In the light of other findings from the larger study, we think it likely that the negative associations between language measures and MEE reflect confounding factors that contribute, on the one hand, to the duration of OM in young children and, on the other hand, to slow development of their language skills.

Factors associated with different hygiene practices in the homes of 15 month old infants

BACKGROUND

Improved hygiene in Westernised regions of the world may be partly responsible for the increased prevalence of diseases of the immune system, such as asthma and atopy. There is a paucity of data on cleanliness norms in young children in the UK and there has been no attempt to identify factors that influence the adoption of particular hygiene practices in the home.

AIMS

To examine levels of hygiene in a contemporary cohort of children and identify social and lifestyle factors influencing hygiene practices in the home.

METHODS

The sample under study are participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Parental self completion questionnaires provided data on hygiene levels in children at 15 months of age, and a hygiene score was derived from these responses. Multivariable logistic regression models investigated associations between high hygiene scores (top quintile) and a number of perinatal, maternal, social, and environmental factors.

RESULTS

Maternal smoking during pregnancy, low maternal educational achievement, and living in local authority housing were factors independently associated with high hygiene scores, as was increased use of chemical household products. High hygiene scores were inversely related to living in damp housing and attendance at day care. There were no gender or ethnic differences in hygiene score.

CONCLUSION

Important data on cleanliness norms for infants have been presented. The adoption of hygiene practices is influenced to some degree by social, lifestyle, and environmental factors-with higher hygiene scores occurring in more socially disadvantaged groups. Increased use of chemical household products in the more socially disadvantaged groups within ALSPAC has emerged as an important confounder in any study of hygiene and ill health.