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The frequency of otitis media with effusion in British pre-school children: a guide for treatment. ALSPAC Study Team
E J Midgley1, C Dewey, K Pryce
1Bristol Children's Hospital, Unit of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology and Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Insights
Otitis media with effusion (OME) prevalence decreases with age in young children. This common childhood ear condition shows a significant seasonal pattern, being more frequent in winter months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common childhood condition affecting hearing.
- Understanding OME prevalence is crucial for early intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of OME in young children up to 5 years of age.
- To investigate the influence of age and season on OME prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1400 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC).
- Serial tympanometry performed at multiple time points between 8 and 61 months of age.
- Data analyzed for prevalence trends related to age and season.
Main Results:
- OME prevalence decreased significantly with increasing age.
- A marked seasonal variation was observed, with higher prevalence in winter months compared to summer.
- No significant effect of sex on OME prevalence was found.
Conclusions:
- Age and season are significant factors influencing OME prevalence in young children.
- Findings provide essential data for evaluating OME screening programs and treatment guidelines.
- This study highlights the dynamic nature of OME in early childhood.
Abstract:
Data on the prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) as shown by serial tympanometry is presented for young children during the first 5 years of life. The children were participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC); a randomly selected 10% (n = 1400) of whom were selected for examination at ages 8, 12, 18, 25, 31, 37, 43, 49 and 61 months. Whilst sex had no effect, there was a decrease in prevalence of OME with increasing age. There was a marked seasonal effect on the prevalence of OME. Bilateral and unilateral OME were significantly more prevalent in the winter than in the summer months (36.6% in February in children aged 8 months compared with 16% at 61 months and 16.4% in August in children aged 8 months compared with 3.1% at 61 months). The results form an important background against which to assess both the results of screening and also the indications for surgical treatment.
