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Otitis media with effusion in preschool children.
Author(s) -
Casselbrant Margaretha L.,
Brostoff Leon M.,
Flaherty Mildred R.,
Bluestone Charles D.,
Cantekin Erdem I.,
Doyle William J.,
Fria Thomas J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198504000-00011
Subject(s) - tympanometry , otitis , incidence (geometry) , medicine , effusion , pediatrics , population , upper respiratory infections , middle ear , audiology , hearing loss , surgery , audiometry , environmental health , physics , optics
The incidence, prevalence, and natural history of otitis media with effusion (OME) and middle ear high negative pressure (HNP) were investigated in a group of 2 to 6 year old preschool children. The children were examined monthly over a two year period from September 1981 to August 1983. The middle ear status was assessed using a decision‐tree algorithm which combined the findings of pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex measurements. Fifty‐three percent of the children in the first year and 61% in the second year developed OME; also during the two years, HNP was documented in 66% of the children. Eighty percent of OME episodes lasted only two months. The prevalence of OME and HNP showed a seasonal variation and a strong association with the presence of upper respiratory infections (URIs). The incidence of OME was independent of age. These data indicate that OME and HNP are prevalent conditions with a high spontaneous recovery in the preschool population.