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Prospective epidemiological study of common colds and secretory otitis media
Insights
Common colds frequently lead to secretory otitis media (SOM) in young children. Institutionalized children experienced higher rates of SOM following colds compared to those cared for at home.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Secretory otitis media (SOM) is a common condition in young children.
- The relationship between common colds and the development of SOM requires further investigation, particularly concerning different childcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of secretory otitis media (SOM) induced by common colds in young children.
- To compare SOM development in children based on their childcare environment (institutional vs. home-based).
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 373 institutionalized children and 210 non-institutionalized children (aged 9 months to 7 years).
- Common colds were identified by nasal discharge.
- Tympanometry was performed six times at two-week intervals to diagnose SOM.
Main Results:
- Among 1-year-olds, common colds induced SOM in 83% of institutionalized children versus 56% of home-cared children.
- By age 5 years, SOM incidence following colds decreased to 20% in both institutionalized and home-cared groups.
Conclusions:
- Institutionalized young children are at a higher risk of developing secretory otitis media following a common cold.
- Childcare setting significantly influences the likelihood of developing SOM after a cold in early childhood, though this difference diminishes with age.
Abstract:
To evaluate how often a common cold induces secretory otitis media (SOM) two groups of young children were studied. One comprised 373 children aged 9 months to 7 years who were being minded in institutions. The other group consisted of 210 children not minded in day institutions or private day care. This latter group was subdivided into children minded at home or in private day care attended by not more than 2 children (117 children), and the remainder (93 children). Common colds were defined as nasal discharge, and tympanometry was carried out 6 times at 2-week intervals. Among the 1-year-olds common colds induced SOM in 83% of those minded in institutions and in 56% of those minded at home. At the age of 5 years this applied to 20% of both groups.