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Acute paediatric mastoiditis in the UK before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national observational study

Matthew E Smith1, G Huw Jones2, John C Hardman3

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester, UK.

Clinical Otolaryngology : Official Journal of ENT-UK ; Official Journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery
|October 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic altered acute paediatric mastoiditis cases in the UK, reducing overall incidence but changing patient demographics. Management strategies shifted, though treatment success remained high.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Paediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute paediatric mastoiditis is a significant otolaryngological condition in children.
  • Understanding the impact of public health crises on paediatric conditions is crucial for healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, management, and outcomes of acute paediatric mastoiditis in the UK.
  • To compare paediatric mastoiditis cases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • A national retrospective and prospective audit was conducted across 48 UK secondary care ENT departments.
  • Cases of acute paediatric mastoiditis in children aged 18 years or under were analyzed, divided into pre-pandemic (Period 1) and pandemic (Period 2) phases.
  • Management strategies and treatment outcomes were compared between the two periods and by treatment modality (medical, needle aspiration, surgical).

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in weekly cases of paediatric mastoiditis was observed during the pandemic (9.4 vs 2.0 cases/week).
  • The pandemic period saw an increase in the average age of affected children and a rise in cases associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Surgical management decreased during the pandemic, while overall treatment success remained high (6.3% initial management failure) and adverse event rates were consistent (15.7%).

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the presentation and case mix of acute paediatric mastoiditis in the UK.
  • Despite changes in incidence and patient demographics, management remained effective with consistently high success rates.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVIDacute mastoiditisantibioticpaediatricsurgery

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