The epidemiology of recurrent otitis media.

Nearly one-half of 165 children with episodes of acute otitis media had at least one recurrent acute episode within the year. Males had significantly more recurrences. Most (60 per cent) of the recurrent episodes occurred within four months of the index episode. Hearing loss persisted beyond two weeks in 8 per cent of testable children. This experience suggests that prophylactic antibiotic use within the first few months after an episode of acute otitis media in young children should be evaluated.