Risk factors of otitis media with effusion during infancy.

Associations of possible risk factors with prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) were prospectively studied in a cohort of 250 infants, aged 0-2 years. In order to determine OME, otoscopy and tympanometry were performed at 3-monthly intervals beginning at term date. Eighteen epidemiologically relevant features were inventoried by means of standardized questionnaires. Multivariate analysis controlled for possible confounding factors. Prevalence of OME was most strongly associated with age (P-value < 0.001). Other factors significantly associated with the prevalence of OME (P-value < 0.05) were gestational age, birth weight, breastfeeding, day-care attendance, number of siblings, season, and parent-reported ear infection, hearing loss, mouth breathing and common cold. No significance was found for gender, date of birth, passive smoking, family history of otitis media, parental socio-economic status and histories of snoring and consultation of a physician. In conclusion: both intrinsic and extrinsic factors appear to play an important role in the prevalence of OME. Some of the risk factors appeared to be time-dependent.     

Risk factors for otitis media with effusion: case-control study in Sicilian schoolchildren

Objective

To identify the prevalence and demographic, maternal and child risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME) in Sicilian schoolchildren and analyse the results with reference to the review of the literature.

Methods

Associations of possible risk factors with prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) were studied in a cohort of 2097 children, aged 5-14 years. In order to determine OME, otoscopy and tympanometry were performed at 3-monthly intervals beginning at term date. Sixteen epidemiologically relevant features were inventoried by means of standardized questionnaires and skin tests were performed. Univariate analysis was performed to examine the association between determinants and occurrence of OME; multivariate logistic regression analysis was made to investigate the joint effect of atopy and other determinants on OME.

Results

Prevalence of OME resulted 6.8% (143/2097) and it was most strongly associated with atopy (P < 0.0001; or = 12.67; 95% CI = 8.78-18.27). Other factors significantly associated with the prevalence of OME were snoring (P < 0.0001), previous history of acute otitis media (P < 0.001) and of recurrent URTIs (P < 0.0001), mother's no schooling (P = 0.01) and no breastfeed (P = 0.05). No significance was found for school type, economic status of the family, family size, family history of presence of allergy and of ear disease, mother's work status, smoking parents and birth history. Moreover on multivariate logistic regression analysis it resulted that age, positive URTI's history and smoking exposure were found to be significant (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

OME during infancy is a common and multifactorial disease; as most of the risk factors associated with its etiology and pathogenesis, are modifiable, their modification should represent the reasonable primary care intervention leading to a decrease in OME prevalence.     

Otitis media as a cause of significant hearing loss among Nigerians

Mild or worse hearing loss, defined as pure tone average >25 decibel, is seen commonly with preventable etiologies.

Settings

A tertiary care, urban referral hospital.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of individuals attending the hearing loss clinic of National Hospital, Abuja, between May 2005 and April 2007. Data matching the diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) were extracted from the database and analyzed.

Result

A total of 298 cases with primary presenting complaints of hard of hearing were seen. A total of 77 cases had hearing loss due to otitis media. 44 (57.1%) had OME, 26 (33.8%) had CSOM, while 7 (9.1%) had AOM. The observed distribution of the OME was left OME (18.1%, n = 14), right OME (9.1%, n = 7) and bilateral OME (29.9%, n = 23), while the CSOM is distributed into left CSOM (15.5%, n = 12), bilateral CSOM (11.7%, n = 9) and right CSOM (6.4%, n = 5), and AOM is distributed into right AOM (2.6%, n = 2), left AOM (3.9%, n = 3), and bilateral AOM (2.6%, n = 2). The mean pure tone averages for the three groups are AOM (30.5 dB), OME (41.5 dB) and CSOM (56.9 dB).

Conclusion

Otitis media is an important cause of preventable hearing loss in developing countries, and the predominance of unilateral otitis media in the left ear observed in this study deserves further studies.     

Prevalence and risk factors for persistent otitis media with effusion in primary school children in Istanbul,Turkey

Objective

To determine the impact of environmental, epidemiologic and familial factors in the development of persistent otitis media with effusion (OME-OME treated with antibiotics and followed additional 12 weeks) in primary school children in Istanbul.

Materials and methods

A total of 1800 children who were attending 4 different primary schools in Sisli and Beyoglu districts of Istanbul were screened and 1740 children who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled into this study. Questionnaires prepared in the Otorhinolaryngology Clinics of Taksim Research and Training Hospital and the forms were delivered to the parents to be filled the day before examination of each child. The forms were collected during the otoscopic examinations. Pure tone audiometry and tympanometry tests and pneumatic otoscopy were performed on the children who were diagnosed as OME by otoscopic examination. The association between the children diagnosed as OME and the answers to the questionnaires was evaluated.

Results

The prevalence of persistent OME in this paper was 8.7% (152/1740). Frequency of smoking in both parents (p < 0.01) and mothers alone (p < 0.0001), the frequency of acute otitis media (AOM) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in past 1 year (p < 0.0001), incidence of attending day care centers and crèches (p < 0.0001), allergy history (p < 0.05), the number of siblings (p < 0.0001) and poor educational status of the parents (p < 0001) were statistically significant factors among children with OME compared to normal children. Sex factors (p > 0.05), mothers smoke history during pregnancy (p > 0.05), relative marriage (p > 0.05), smoking history of the fathers (p > 0.05) and duration of breastfeeding (p > 0.05) were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Environmental, epidemiologic and familial factors in the etiology of OME are important. The parents must be informed about the risk factors and symptoms of OME and by this way, the development or delayed diagnosis of the disease that may lead to permanent hearing loss may be prevented.     

Risk factors for otitis media with effusion in Chinese schoolchildren: a nested case-control study and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME) in Chinese schoolchildren and analyse the results with reference to the review of the literature. METHODS: The study subjects were 6-7-year-old children drawn from a school-screening program for OME in Hong Kong. Both positive and negative screens attended a hospital clinic for further assessment with repeated otoscopic examination and tympanometry as well as pure tone audiometry within 3 weeks after the initial school-screening. During the visit, parents were interviewed to provide information with regard to the children's birth history, neonatal history, socio-economic background, otological history, past health, and medical history. These data formed the basis in the estimation of potential risk factors for OME. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis of 127 cases and 173 controls, significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) for OME were detected on the symptoms of atopy (OR = 2.21, p = 0.04), hearing loss (OR = 4.13, p = 0.001), nasal obstruction (OR = 1.94, p = 0.005), rhinorrhoea (OR = 1.61, p = 0.04), tonsillitis in the past 12 months (OR = 1.82, p = 0.02), and previous history of acute otitis media (OR = 6.89, p < 0.001). However, only three of them were found to be significant in the multivariate logistic regression model: nasal obstruction (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.01-2.75); acute tonsillitis (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.00-2.80), and previous acute otitis media episodes (OR = 5.75, 95% CI: 2.60-12.69). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors identified in the Chinese schoolchildren for OME were comparable with previous western reports. A previous attack of acute otitis media was a major determinant for middle ear effusion.     

Pediatricians' opinions about otitis media and speech-language-hearing development

Twenty-five pediatricians responded to a confidential survey about their opinions on the relationship between otitis media and children's speech-language-hearing status. Results found that pediatricians did not necessarily agree that otitis media has an impact on speech-language-hearing development. Pediatricians reported that an early otitis media onset (birth to age 2) affects speech-language development, but they also reported that parents and daycare environments could mitigate any otitis media effect. Pediatricians reported a possible otitis media impact on hearing status, but they did not necessarily agree that an otitis media history required referral for audiological testing. Clinical implications are discussed for collaboration among pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists. LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) The reader will become familiar with pediatricians' opinions about the impact of otitis media on speech-language development. (2) The reader will become familiar with strategies to support interdisciplinary collaboration between pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.     

儿童分泌性中耳炎危险因素分析

目的 探讨武汉市部分幼儿园儿童分泌性中耳炎的危险因素,并与相关文献分析比较.方法 调查武汉市部分幼儿园3～6岁的儿童,对其进行常规耳鼻咽喉科体检,电耳镜检查鼓膜结合声导抗测试,并问卷调查母亲牛育年龄、生产情况、喂养情况,家庭吸烟史,耳科病史,鼻漏,喷嚏,鼻塞,睡眠打鼾,扁桃体炎发作情况等.结果 144例分泌性中耳炎患儿和288例对照者进行危险因素统计学分析,发现鼻塞(OR=2.60,P=0.002),鼻涕(OR=1.442,P=0.003),硬腭高拱(OR=4.411,P＜0.0001),急性中耳炎病史(OR=1.77,P=0.025)是患病的危险因素.进行多因素同归分析后发现喂养情况(OR=0.746,P=0.047),鼻塞(OR=2.56,P=0.003),硬腭高拱(OR=4.35,P＜0.001),鼻炎(OR=1.397,P=0.098),急性中耳炎病史(OR=1.735,P=0.032)为分泌性中耳炎的影响因素.结论 中耳炎病史是分泌性中耳炎的危险因素.但急性扁桃体炎并不是分泌性中耳炎的危险因素,另外发现母乳喂养是分泌性中耳炎的保护因素.有急性中耳炎病史且经常鼻塞的儿童应定期进行耳鼻咽喉科体检.     

Otitis media with effusion in children with cleft lip and palate: A narrative review

Objective

Repair surgery of cleft lip and palate (CLP) can produce satisfactory cosmetic results but the problem of recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) secondary to CLP may persist. This can cause long-term hearing loss and affect linguistic, academic, and personal development. The aim of this review is to provide the most recent information regarding OME in children with CLP.

Methods

All papers referring to children with CLP and OME were identified from searches in Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Abstracts were read and relevant papers were obtained. Additional studies were obtained from the references of the selected articles.

Results

Both current and previous research on OME in children with CLP focused on the controversy over treatment strategies. Evidence on the optimal treatment for OME in CLP children was lacking. Ventilation tube surgery using the same anesthetic as lip or palate procedures was not well-supported. After summarizing the literature review, a flowchart of management guidance for such patients is also recommended. Updated reviews such as this will provide clinicians and patients/parents with a valuable reference.

Conclusions

The lack of evidence on the optimal treatment for OME in children with CLP should prompt a relatively conservative approach. However, only a consensus between patients/parents and surgeons regarding the most suitable treatment strategy for OME can ensure the greatest benefit to individual patients.     

The acceptance of hearing aids for children with otitis media with effusion.

Conservative treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME) led us to consider the use of hearing aids as a way of managing the associated hearing loss. This study aimed to assess the compliance of patients and acceptance of hearing aids for the management of children with OME. Thirty-nine children who had been given binaural hearing aids to manage OME were assessed at routine follow-up after six months. A clinician who did not prescribe the aid administered a questionnaire to assess compliance, change in symptoms and acceptance of the aids. Thirty-eight parents thought the aids were easy to use and 25 (66 per cent) were completely satisfied with the management. Aided hearing improved by a mean of 17 dB (Range 10-30) over three frequencies, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 Khz and all parents reported subjective hearing improvement in their children. The stigma of an aid was reported as minimal under the age of seven. Hearing aids provide a non-invasive way of managing the problems associated with OME which is acceptable to certain parents and children. Long-term effects of using aids need to be evaluated before they can be recommended.     

探讨儿童分泌性中耳炎的诊断程序

目的 将鼓室导抗图、纯音听阈与耳CT结果比较,并经鼓膜切开所见验证,分析鼓室导抗图、纯音听阈和耳CT在判断中耳积液的敏感度.方法 分析2007年1月至2008年6月临床诊断分泌性中耳炎住院治疗的患者,将其病史、平均听阈、CT结果进行Logistic分析.结果 40例(75耳)患者中男28例(53耳),女12例(22耳).年龄最小3岁6个月,最大11岁10个月,平均6岁6个月.鼓膜切开证实中耳有分泌物62耳(82.7%),无明显分泌物13耳(17.3%).鼓膜置管23耳.统计学分析结果显示,听力损失程度、CT结果与中耳积液有相关性(r值分别为1.392、1.355;P值均＜0.05).结论 通过鼓膜情况、鼓室导抗图和平均听阈综合判断中耳积液有较高的敏感度.特别以传导性听力损失程度判断有无中耳积液有较高特异性.分泌性中耳炎的患儿,除常规耳科检查,应首先进行声导抗,纯音测听检查.尽管耳CT具有较高的敏感度但是由于其副作用的局限,不建议作为分泌性中耳炎的常规检查.     

Sequelae of otitis media with effusion among children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common among children with cleft palate, and may lead to such long-term consequences as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media (COM). In total, 104 children with cleft lip and/or palate treated for OME at our institution were reviewed. Mean duration of follow-up was 6.9 years, and mean age at latest follow-up was 9.6 years. The incidence of COM was 19%, and the incidence of cholesteatoma was 1.9%. Ears showing such long-term sequelae of OME as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media, were noted to have undergone a significantly greater number of ventilation tube insertions than ears not showing these sequalae. Our findings would suggest that a conservative approach to the management of OME in children with cleft palate is more likely to be beneficial in the long term.     

Magnesium levels in middle ear fluids and sera in otitis media with effusion

Summary Middle ear fluids (MEE) and matched sera (S) were obtained from 50 patients with serous otitis media and magnesium levels were measured to determine if magnesium concentration was distinctly varied in otitis media with effusion (OME). The MEE/S ratio was considerably raised along with transient sensory hearing loss in chronic OME when compared with acute OME. The higher magnesium level found in the MEE implies that it is probably produced locally by the middle ear mucosa and may contribute to the hearing loss found. We also regard the MEE/S ratio as a prognostic factor in OME. Correspondence to: W. L. Yue     

No association between hearing loss due to bilateral otitis media with effusion and Denver-II test results in preschool children

OBJECTIVE: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common cause of acquired hearing loss in childhood and has been associated with delayed language development and behavioral problems. In this study, children with an evidently recurrent otitis media were investigated. The present study examines the association between hearing loss versus developmental screening test parameters of preschool children. METHODS: Sixteen children with bilateral otitis media were compared with age-matched same number of children with normal hearing (controls). RESULTS: Language and verbal cognitive abilities were not affected significantly as a result of the presence of hearing loss because of OME. Using internationally standardized Denver-II test to evaluate the language development and other developmental screening parameters, no significant difference was found between the patient and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to find any association between the hearing loss due to otitis media with effusion and speech and language parameters in preschool children.     

Prevalence of middle ear pathologies in children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVES: In poor countries, hearing aids are too expensive for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) children's parents to offer for their children. These children may have middle ear problem, this will aggravate the level of hearing loss which may lead to delay in their ability to speak. This study is to highlight the prevalence of middle ear pathology in SNHL children. METHODS: Two hundred children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) were selected in our study from the outpatient clinic of ENT department of Sohag University Hospital, Egypt. Children were classified into three categories according to their middle ear status. They were normal middle ear, middle ear with unhealthy tympanic membrane or otitis media with intact drum and chronic suppurative otitis media with perforation. RESULTS: Seventy percent of cases were normal, 25% had middle ear problem with intact tympanic membrane and 5% had chronic suppurative otitis media with perforation. CONCLUSION: Thirty percent of SNHL children have middle ear pathology which aggravate the degree of hearing loss. Regular evaluation of SNHL children to treat those having middle ear pathology medically and/or surgically and this may help those having no ability to have hearing aids to learn language early.     

Sequelae of otitis media with effusion among children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate1

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common among children with cleft palate, and may lead to such long‐term consequences as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media (COM). In total, 104 children with cleft lip and/or palate treated for OME at our institution were reviewed. Mean duration of follow‐up was 6.9 years, and mean age at latest follow‐up was 9.6 years. The incidence of COM was 19%, and the incidence of cholesteatoma was 1.9%. Ears showing such long‐term sequelae of OME as hearing loss, tympanic membrane retraction, and chronic otitis media, were noted to have undergone a significantly greater number of ventilation tube insertions than ears not showing these sequalae. Our findings would suggest that a conservative approach to the management of OME in children with cleft palate is more likely to be beneficial in the long term.     

儿童分泌性中耳炎致骨导听力下降的临床特征分析

目的 探讨儿童分泌性中耳炎致骨导听力下降的特点、病因和预后.方法 回顾性分析75例(82耳)分泌性中耳炎患儿骨导听力下降的临床资料,并对其发病年龄、病程、积液性质和积液量与骨导听阈的关系进行观察.结果 75例患儿(82耳)骨导听力下降,平均骨导阈值在2.0 kHz和4.0kHz处增高最明显.骨导听阈与病程和积液性质显著相关(P＜0.01或P＜0.05),与年龄、积液量无关.75例患儿均采取鼓膜切开置管术和(或)腺样体切除术,术后给予药物治疗.随访6月,听力恢复正常者76耳,气导听阈下降但骨导听阈无改善者6耳.结论 分泌性中耳炎可导致儿童骨导阈值增高,是导致儿童耳聋的危险因素之一,及早干预可避免病情发展.     

Sensorineural hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is known to occur in various types of otitis media. Although the mechanism by which SNHL develops in association with otitis media with effusion (OME) is unknown, several hypotheses have been advocated up to now. We reviewed the clinical records of children with otitis media with effusion (OME) to reveal the association with sensorineural hearing loss. The material consisted of 71 children (119 ears) who were diagnosed as having OME and gave reliable audiograms in our clinic during an 11 month period from February 1997 through January 1998. From these cases those which showed bone conduction loss of 25 dB or higher at any one of the frequencies of 250 through 4 kHz were selected and considered to be cases of SNHL. Eight cases (9%) which had temporary threshold shift (TTS) or permanent threshold shift (PTS) were considered to be etiologically related to OME. The clinical course in each of these cases with SNHL was reviewed and evaluated in detail. We noted that all children with TTS improved completely. The result of this study indicates that we have to be aware of a possible development of SNHL during the course of OME.     

Hearing impairment in otitis media with effusion: a cross-sectional study based in Pokhara, Nepal

Objective

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a major cause of childhood hearing impairment (HI) in the developing world, but its prevalence has never been quantified in Nepal. This study therefore set out to determine the proportion of cases of OME complicated by HI and to identify associated factors.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional prevalence survey carried out in rural, urban and Tibetan schools in and around Pokhara, Nepal. HI was the primary outcome, and was defined as a middle-frequency pure tone average >25 dB on audiological testing. The study population was defined as children aged four years and older, attending primary school and with a diagnosis of OME.

Results

One hundred and eleven schoolchildren with a combined total of 172 ears affected by OME underwent audiometric assessment. HI was most prevalent in the rural Nepali population; 27% (95%CIs 18–38%) had HI, with a mean hearing loss of 22 dB (15–25 dB). In the Tibetan population, 16% (8–29%) had HI, with a mean loss of 17 dB (12–22 dB). The urban Nepali population had the least HI; 4% (1–13%) were affected, with a mean loss of 16 dB (15–19 dB). The difference in prevalence between the urban and rural Nepali populations was statistically significant (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis did not identify any associated factors.

Conclusions

HI is a common complication of OME in Nepal. There is hitherto-unreported variation between populations in the number of cases of OME complicated by HI. This study identified higher rates of morbidity amongst rural populations but was unable to identify associated factors.     

Prognostic factors for persistent otitis media with effusion in infants.

OBJECTIVE: To study prognostic factors for persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) in a birth cohort of 30,099 children born in the eastern part of The Netherlands between January 1, 1996, and April 1, 1997. DESIGN: Case-referent study. SUBJECTS: Children who failed a triple hearing test before their first birthday and were subsequently diagnosed with bilateral OME during 3 of the 4 bimonthly visits to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department (n = 372). The persistent cases were compared with 3 referent groups: (1) all the children who attended the first of 3 hearing tests; (2) all the children of the birth cohort who were referred to an ENT department after the third hearing test; and (3) all the children who were diagnosed with bilateral OME during the first visit to an ENT department. RESULTS: When all the children who participated in the first hearing test were taken as referents, persistent OME was associated with upper respiratory tract infections, attending a day-care center, having older siblings, and a family history of otitis media. When all the children who were referred to an ENT department were taken as referents, only attending a day-care center was associated with persistent OME. When the children diagnosed with bilateral OME during the first visit to an ENT department were taken as referents, no prognostic factors were found for OME persistence. CONCLUSION: When a child is referred early, an otolaryngologist can ask the parent about the presence of prognostic factors to decide which policy to follow.