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Pneumococcal vaccination in children at risk of developing recurrent acute otitis media - a randomized study

Marie Gisselsson-Solén1, Asa Melhus, Ann Hermansson

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. marie.solen@gmail.com

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|April 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) significantly reduced acute otitis media (AOM) episodes, emergency visits, and ventilation tube insertions in infants at high risk for recurrent AOM (rAOM). This suggests PCV7 can decrease healthcare utilization in otitis-prone children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute otitis media (AOM) is a frequent childhood illness, with some cases becoming recurrent (rAOM).
  • Previous studies indicated a minor decrease in AOM episodes in general pediatric populations following vaccination with heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of PCV7 vaccination on young children identified as being at high risk for developing rAOM.
  • To assess the efficacy of PCV7 in preventing AOM-related complications in this vulnerable group.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 96 infants with initial AOM onset before 6 months of age (indicating high rAOM risk) was monitored until age 2.
  • The cohort was divided into two groups: 46 children received PCV7 vaccination, while 50 did not.
  • Data collected included all AOM episodes, emergency department visits, and tympanostomy tube insertions.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of AOM was reduced by 26% in the PCV7-vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group (p = 0.03).
  • Emergency visits for suspected AOM decreased by 36% (p = 0.01) in vaccinated children.
  • The proportion of children requiring ventilation tube insertion was halved in the PCV7 group (p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

  • PCV7 vaccination demonstrated significant reductions in AOM episodes, emergency visits, and ventilation tube insertions within the first two years of life for children predisposed to rAOM.
  • Pneumococcal vaccination holds promise as a strategy to lower antibiotic consumption and healthcare resource utilization in children prone to otitis media.
Abstract

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