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Middle ear disease assessed by impedance in primary school children in south London
Insights
Tympanography effectively screens young children for middle ear disease. While many recover, children of African origin had fewer persistent issues, unlike those from poorer backgrounds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Public Health
Background:
- Middle ear disease is common in young children.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing hearing loss and developmental issues.
- Screening methods need to be validated for feasibility and accuracy in school-aged populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of tympanography for screening middle ear disease in 5- to 6-year-old children.
- To identify risk factors associated with persistent middle ear abnormalities.
- To assess the natural resolution rate of middle ear abnormalities detected by tympanography.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional screening study involving 413 children aged 5-6 years from twelve primary schools in Southeast London.
- Tympanography was used for initial screening, with a follow-up test conducted 10 weeks later for those with abnormal results.
- Data on ethnicity and socioeconomic status were collected to analyze risk factors.
Main Results:
- 41% of children exhibited abnormal tympanograms during the initial screening.
- Approximately 50% of children with initial abnormalities showed resolution by the 10-week follow-up.
- Children of African origin had significantly lower rates of abnormalities and persistence, while those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to have persistent abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Tympanography is a feasible and effective screening tool for middle ear disease in young children.
- Ethnic and socioeconomic factors influence the prevalence and persistence of middle ear abnormalities.
- Tympanography complements existing audiological and otoscopic examinations for comprehensive ear health assessment.
Abstract:
413 children aged 5 to 6 years from twelve randomly selected primary schools in SE London were screened for middle ear disease by the use of tympanography . Those with abnormal tympanograms were retested 10 weeks later. 41% had an abnormality at first test, but half had recovered by second test. Children of African origin were significantly less likely to show abnormalities and in almost none did the abnormality persist; children from poorer families were significantly more likely to have a persistent abnormality. Tympanography is a feasible screening test in children of this age-group and complements audiometry and otoscopy.