Otitis is a very frequent infection in the child population and is the most common cause of visits to the ENT office. According to the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC), 90% of children suffer at least one episode of otitis before the age of five.
This suggests the importance of taking care of the auditory health of our children, especially in the rainy and cold months, when the cases multiply due to the increased risk of colds that cause upper respiratory infections.
Acute otitis media in children
The acute otitis media (AOM) is a infectious inflammatory process that affects the middle ear, which is often accompanied by an upper respiratory infection.
The fact that it is more frequent in childhood is due to the fact that in children, the Eustachian tube is wider, shorter and more horizontal, so it has a less efficient opening mechanism thus favoring the arrival of germs from nose, and the picture of acute otitis media.
This favors the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, constituting the picture of secretory otitis, also known as otitis media with effusion.
When minors develop tres or more episodes in six months, or five in a year, becomes recurrent (OMAR).
According to a study published in the European Journals of Pediatrics otitis media with effusion is the leading cause of hearing loss in children and confirms the fears of parents regarding the development of their children. A great concern for parents, since children who suffer at very early ages tend to have more predisposition to recurrence.
Two out of three babies suffer from it
This is one of the most common problems in children, in fact two out of every three children present at least one episode before the end of the year, according to SEORL data.
The maximum peak is situated between 6 and 11 months old and then between 4 and 5 years old.
Otitis is inevitably linked to catarrhal processes. When the first days of the catarrhal picture pass, progressive pain may appear in the ear, accompanied by hypocause or tinnitus. It can also cause fever of up to 40 ° C and, if it evolves, a tympanic perforation that will result in suppuration, the disappearance of pain and the decrease in temperature.
In 80% of cases the cure is spontaneous, without the need for antibiotics, so the indication of them will depend on various factors. In children under two years of age or immunocompromised if they are indicated because spontaneous healing is more complicated.
In case of suspicion of hearing loss in a child it is recommended to go to the specialist, since even in the absence of pain, fever or secretion, there may be a recurrent otitis, which if not treated well can be chronicled and lead to hearing loss.
How to prevent otitis
- The prevention of otitis focuses on trying to avoid colds in children.
- Dry ears well to avoid moisture that may favor the appearance of otitis.
- Avoid the accumulation of wax and ear plugging, often cleaning them with seawater diffusers. In the case of babies, even if it sounds strange, the best way to clean the ears is with the elbow.
- Avoid the use of swabs, as they push the wax inward causing infections or even perforations.
- Breastfeeding: has been shown to act as a protective shield against infectious diseases In the kids.
