Otitis media with effusion in preschool children.

TLDR

The study examined the incidence, prevalence, and natural history of otitis media with effusion and high negative pressure in preschool children aged 2–6 years. Children were examined monthly for two years, with middle‑ear status evaluated by a decision‑tree algorithm integrating pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex measurements. During the two‑year follow‑up, 53 % of children developed OME in year 1 and 61 % in year 2, 66 % experienced high negative pressure, most OME episodes resolved within two months, and both conditions showed seasonal peaks, strong links to upper‑respiratory infections, age‑independent incidence, and high spontaneous recovery rates.

Abstract

Abstract 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.