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Allergic airway disease and otitis media in children
Insights
Allergic airway disease, particularly allergic rhinitis, was more common in children at Parker than San Carlos. Allergic rhinitis in children aged 2-4 years correlated with recurrent otitis media.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Otolaryngology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Allergic airway diseases and otitis media are common in children.
- Understanding the relationship between these conditions is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and otitis media in Native American children.
- To explore potential correlations between allergic airway diseases and otitis media.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 395 Native American children from birth to 5 years.
- Data collected from two separate reservations in Arizona.
- Analysis of clinical diagnoses and episode counts for allergic airway diseases and otitis media.
Main Results:
- 45% of children at Parker had allergic airway disease versus 6% at San Carlos.
- 55% of infants at both sites experienced recurrent otitis media.
- Allergic rhinitis in children aged 2-4 years was the only significant correlate with otitis media.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities in allergic airway disease prevalence exist between the two studied populations.
- Allergic rhinitis is a potential risk factor for persistent otitis media in young children.
- Further research is warranted to understand the underlying causes of these observed differences.
Abstract:
The occurrence of allergic rhinitis, asthma and otitis media was examined in 395 Indian children living on two separate reservations in Arizona. The children were followed from birth to age 5 years in a study of otitis media. On retrospective review of medical records, 45% of the children at Parker had a clinical diagnosis of allergic airway disease, in contrast to only 6% at San Carlos. At each site, about 55% had recurring otitis media in infancy; of these otitis-prone infants, 40% at Parker and 36% at San Carlos persisted to have 3 or more episodes of otitis media after age 2 years. The only allergic airway disease correlate with otitis media was allergic rhinitis in children age 2-4 years.