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Asymptomatic Otitis Media With Effusion in Children With Adenoid Enlargement
Olusola Ayodele Sogebi1, Emmanuel Abayomi Oyewole1, Olatundun Ogunbanwo1
1Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria.
Insights
Otitis media with effusion (OME) affects nearly 30% of children with enlarged adenoids. Increased age and weight are key factors associated with developing OME in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Auditory Health Research
Background:
- Enlarged adenoids are common in children and can lead to various upper airway issues.
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a frequent pediatric condition, often asymptomatic.
- The relationship between adenoid hypertrophy and OME requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of OME in children with enlarged adenoids.
- To identify clinical factors associated with the development of OME in this population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 108 children undergoing adenoid (with or without tonsil) surgery.
- Clinical data, otoscopic, audiometric, and radiological findings were collected.
- Tympanometry classified OME; adenoid-nasopharyngeal (AN) ratio >0.5 indicated obstruction.
Main Results:
- OME was present in 29.2% of children (unilateral 20.5%, bilateral 13.9%).
- Mean age was 3.6 years, with 62% males; 63.9% had tonsillar enlargement.
- Increased age and weight were significantly associated with OME development.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic OME is a significant comorbidity in children with adenoid enlargement.
- Age and weight are identified as crucial clinical factors correlating with OME in this cohort.
Objectives:
To estimate the burden, and clinical factors associated with development of Otitis media with effusion (OME) in children with enlarged adenoids.
Methods:
Consecutive eligible patients with adenoid (sometimes with tonsillar) enlargement managed operatively in a period of five years. Patients had no complaints suggestive of hearing impairment. Age, sex, clinical diagnosis, and weight of patients were recorded. Otoscopic, audiometric, and radiological examinations findings were recorded. Tympanometry patterns were classified according to Jerger's classification; type B and C tympanograms represented OME. Some patients had Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA). Plain nasopharyngeal X-ray assessed the adenoid: nasopharyngeal (AN) ratio with >0.5 regarded as obstructive adenoid.
Results:
216 ears of 108 children were assessed. 49.1% of children were in age range 1-3 years, mean 3.6 ± 2.6 years. 62.0% were males, weight ranged from 7.8 to 31.0 kg, mean was 14.3 ± 5.2 kg. 63.9% had associated tonsillar enlargement. Mean AN ratio was 0.69 ± 0.07. Tympanometric findings showed prevalence of OME in all ears was 63/216 = 29.2%, consisting of 30.5% with unilateral (Right ear 19.4%, Left ear 11.1%), and 13.9% with bilateral OME. Acoustic reflexes were absent in both ears in 32 (29.6%) of the patients. There was normal hearing in 16/38 ears (42.1%), while others had different types of hearing loss. Two factors namely increased age and weight were significantly associated with OME in patients with Adenoid enlargement.
Conclusions:
29.2% of children with adenoid enlargement had a co-morbidity of asymptomatic OME. The factors associated with OME were increased age and weight of the patients.
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