Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
03:42

High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology

Published on: May 18, 2022

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Pediatric Mastoiditis-The Australian Experience

William Li1, Roi Kagan1, Jinzi Bai1,2,3

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
|August 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric acute mastoiditis (AM) incidence and severity significantly increased in Australia post-COVID-19. This rise, particularly in very severe disease and intracranial complications, necessitates heightened clinical vigilance and prompt treatment escalation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
  • Public Health Policy Impact

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health responses may have influenced pediatric infectious disease patterns.
  • Acute mastoiditis (AM) is a significant pediatric ear infection requiring careful monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on pediatric acute mastoiditis (AM) incidence and severity in Australia.
  • To compare AM characteristics across pre-COVID, COVID, and post-COVID periods.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective case series design was employed.
  • Data were collected from pediatric patients (<18 years) admitted with AM to a single tertiary pediatric hospital in Australia.
  • Patients were stratified into pre-COVID, COVID, and post-COVID eras based on Australian health policy timelines.

Main Results:

  • A notable increase in AM incidence per emergency department admissions was observed in the post-COVID era, surpassing pre-COVID levels.
  • The proportion of patients experiencing intracranial complications rose significantly over time.
  • Mastoidectomy rates doubled from 13.43% pre-COVID to 28.40% post-COVID.
  • *Streptococcus anginosus* was linked to a 100% mastoidectomy rate and severe disease.
  • Patients in the postrestriction period faced a threefold greater risk of very severe disease compared to the prerestriction period.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified an alarming rise in pediatric AM incidence and severity in the Australian post-pandemic population.
  • Increased vigilance for intracranial complications and rapid therapeutic escalation are strongly recommended for pediatric AM cases.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID‐19immunity debtmastoidectomymastoiditis

Related Concept Videos

Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...