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Secretory otitis media and its sequelae in children living in charitable institutions
Insights
Otitis media, a common ear infection, significantly affected Brazilian children in institutions, with secretory otitis media being prevalent. Speech and language delays were observed but not directly linked to hearing loss in this study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Public Health
Background:
- Otitis media is a prevalent childhood illness with potential long-term effects.
- Understanding the prevalence of otitis media in institutionalized children is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Brazilian institutions may present unique environmental or socioeconomic factors influencing ear health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the otological and audiological status of children in Brazilian institutions.
- To determine the prevalence of different types of otitis media and tympanic membrane abnormalities.
- To investigate potential correlations between ear conditions and speech/language development.
Main Methods:
- Otolaryngological and audiological examinations were conducted on two groups of institutionalized children.
- Group I: 100 children (1 year to 2 years 5 months), 52 males, 48 females.
- Group II: 50 male children (4 to 14 years).
Main Results:
- Secretory otitis media was found in 31% of Group I and 30% of Group II.
- Suppurative otitis media (17%), ear drum perforations (2%), and retractions (34%) were noted in Group I.
- Permanent tympanic perforations were observed in 6% of Group II.
- All children exhibited speech and language development delays, irrespective of hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Institutionalized Brazilian children exhibit a high prevalence of otitis media and related ear conditions.
- Speech and language delays are widespread in this population but not directly attributable to hearing loss based on this study.
- Further research is needed to explore the multifactorial causes of developmental delays in institutionalized children.
Abstract:
Children living in two Brazilian institutions were studied otologically and audiologically. Group I comprised 100 children (52 males and 48 females) ranging from 1 year to 2 years and 5 months of age. Group II comprised 50 male children ranging from 4 to 14 years of age. Secretory otitis media was found in 31% of the children (22% of the male population and 9% of the female population) of group I. Suppurative otitis media (17%), perforation of ear drum (2%) and retraction of the ear drum (34% with middle ear pressure more negative than -100 mmH2O) were found in group I. Secretory otitis media (15 subjects, 30% of population) and permanent tympanic perforation (3 cases, 6% of the population) were observed among children of group II. All children under investigation showed delay of speech and language development that could not be correlated to hearing loss.