[Choice of antibiotic treatment in otitis media]

The choice of antibiotics to be prescribed in otitis media may be guided by microbiological culture of the middle ear exudate obtained by tympanocentesis, or by direct examination and culture of purulent material obtained by myringotomy after rupture of the tympanic membrane. Otherwise, routine antibiotic prescription is based on the epidemiological frequencies of bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hoemophilus influenza or Strepcococcus A. In children who have infrequently received beta-lactam antibiotics, amoxicillin 50-75 mg/kg/day for 10 days may be the first choice. Children who suffer from recurrent episodes of acute otitis media may benefit from one of the three following prescriptions: amoxicillin + clavulanate (Augmentin), or an oral cephalosporin, or the erythromycin + sulfisoxazole combination (Pediazole). If recurrences are frequent and at short intervals, antibiotic prophylaxis may be effective, using penicillin V (Oracillin) 250,000 IU daily throughout the entire cold period.