Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
14:05

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses

Published on: January 23, 2017

The bifid uvula: is it a marker for an otitis prone child?

R H Schwartz, G F Hayden, W J Rodriquez

    The Laryngoscope
    |September 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with a bifid uvula may have a slightly higher risk of middle ear issues, including acute otitis media (AOM). However, study findings indicate this increased risk is not statistically significant.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Otolaryngology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • A bifid uvula, a minor oral anomaly, is sometimes associated with other conditions.
    • The relationship between isolated bifid uvula and middle ear disease requires further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the association between isolated bifid uvula and the incidence of acute otitis media (AOM) and tympanostomy tube insertion in young children.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective chart review of children with isolated bifid uvula and age-matched controls.
    • Analysis of the frequency of AOM episodes and tympanostomy tube insertions within the first three years of life.

    Main Results:

    • Children with bifid uvulas showed a slightly higher, though not statistically significant, proportion of recurrent AOM in the first year of life compared to controls.
    • Tympanostomy tube insertion for persistent middle ear effusion was marginally more frequent in the bifid uvula group by age 3.
    • The observed differences in middle ear problems between groups were not statistically significant.

    Conclusions:

    • Children with isolated bifid uvula may have a small, non-significant increase in risk for middle ear problems during early childhood.
    • Further research is needed to clarify the clinical significance of bifid uvula in relation to otitis media.

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