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The Impact of Milk Protein Allergy on Pediatric Otitis Media Incidence
Brittani P Kongala1, Gaayathri Varavenkataraman2, Grace Maley3
1Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Insights
Children with milk protein allergy (MPA) have a higher incidence of otitis media (OM). Early diagnosis and dietary management of MPA are crucial for reducing OM risk and improving outcomes in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Allergy and Immunology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Otitis media (OM) is a common childhood infection.
- Milk protein allergy (MPA) is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the link between MPA and OM is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between milk protein allergy (MPA) and the incidence of otitis media (OM) in children.
- To compare OM rates in children with and without MPA.
- To identify potential risk factors for OM in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX US database.
- Inclusion of patients aged 2-17 years.
- Propensity score matching to balance cohorts based on MPA presence.
- Analysis of OM incidence (AOM, OME, CSOM) and frequency.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher incidence of OM was observed in the MPA cohort (35.2%) compared to the non-MPA cohort (29.8%).
- The odds ratio for OM in the MPA cohort was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.25-1.31, p < 0.001).
- All types of OM were more prevalent in children with MPA.
Conclusions:
- MPA is significantly associated with an increased risk of OM in children.
- Early diagnosis and dietary management of MPA are vital for OM prevention.
- Comprehensive care strategies can reduce the burden of OM in children with MPA.
Objective:
Otitis media (OM) is among the most prevalent infections in children. This study aims to investigate the correlation between milk protein allergy (MPA) and the incidence of OM in children.
Method:
Patients aged 2-17 years were identified in the TriNetX United States database and divided into two cohorts based on the presence or absence of MPA (ICD-10-CM code Z91.011). Propensity score matching was employed to balance demographic and clinical characteristics including age, sex, race, and ethnicity. The primary outcome was the incidence of OM, including acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) (ICD-10-CM codes H66, H65, and H66.3, respectively). Secondary outcomes included the number of OM instances per patient.
Results:
10,726,154 children were included. After propensity score matching, the final cohorts included 57,531 patients with a mean age of 4.0 years (SD = 3.5). The incidence of OM was significantly higher in the MPA cohort (N = 20,276, 35.2%) compared to the non-MPA cohort (N = 17,143, 29.8%: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.25-1.31, p < 0.001). When stratified by OM type, all types of OM were found to be more common in the MPA cohort compared to the non-MPA cohort (p < 0.001 for all).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates a significant association between MPA and an increased risk of OM in pediatric patients. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and dietary management of MPA to mitigate the risk of OM. Comprehensive care, including tailored preventive strategies, could reduce the burden of OM and improve long-term outcomes for children with MPA.
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