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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Residential air pollution and otitis media during the first two years of life

Elaina A MacIntyre1, Catherine J Karr, Mieke Koehoorn

  • 1School of Environmental Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. elaina1@interchange.ubc.ca

Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|October 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Childhood otitis media, a common reason for doctor visits, is linked to air pollution. Exposure to nitrogen oxides (NO) and woodsmoke increases the risk of middle ear infections in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Otitis media is a primary cause of antibiotic prescriptions and physician visits among young children.
  • Investigating environmental factors like air pollution is crucial for understanding otitis media prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of ambient air pollution on outpatient physician visits for otitis media.
  • To analyze this relationship within a population-based birth cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 45,513 children born in 1999-2000 in British Columbia was followed to age 2.
  • Air pollution exposure (CO, NO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, black carbon, woodsmoke) was estimated using monitor data, land-use regression, and proximity data.
  • Generalized estimating equations were used to link physician visits for otitis media with prior pollutant exposure.

Main Results:

  • 42% of children experienced at least one physician visit for otitis media.
  • Elevated risks were associated with nitrogen oxides (NO) and woodsmoke exposure.
  • Specific pollutants like PM10 and black carbon did not show increased risk for otitis media.

Conclusions:

  • A modest but consistent association exists between certain air pollutants and otitis media in children.
  • Findings highlight the potential role of air quality in pediatric middle ear infections, even at lower pollution levels.
Abstract

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