Minimal middle ear effusion: an indication for ventilation tubes in infants with protracted vomiting

We have lately treated six infants hospitalized in our hospital for persistent vomiting and failure to thrive with no overt explanation for their condition. Examination of the ears of these infants revealed various degrees of serous otitis media. They all had myringostomies and insertion of ventilation tubes after which they stopped vomiting and gained in weight. We wish to revive the often overlooked association between protracted vomiting and middle ear effusion. It seems that minimal degrees of middle ear effusion may cause vomiting and patients with this condition may benefit from ventilation tubes.