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[Acute otitis media in a pediatrics consulting office]
M Riquelme Pérez1, C I Gásquez Abad, E Mena Mateo
1Centro de Salud Chopera I, Madrid.
Insights
This study tracked acute otitis media (AOM) in children aged 3 months to 7 years. The incidence was 12.1%, with nasal congestion and tympanic membrane changes being common symptoms and signs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Otolaryngology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood illness.
- Understanding AOM incidence and natural progression in outpatient settings is crucial for effective management.
- This study focuses on a pediatric outpatient population.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence and natural development of acute otitis media (AOM) in a pediatric outpatient setting.
- To record and analyze demographic, clinical, and otoscopic data related to AOM episodes.
- To observe the progression of AOM over 60 days.
Summary:
- A descriptive study of 867 children (3 months–7 years) diagnosed with AOM found an incidence of 12.1%.
- The most affected age group was 5-year-olds, with February being the peak month.
- Nasal congestion was the most frequent symptom, and tympanic membrane hyperemia and bulging were the most common otoscopic signs.
Impact:
- The study provides incidence data for AOM within a specific pediatric outpatient population.
- Findings highlight key symptoms and signs associated with AOM in young children.
- The observed incidence may be an underestimate compared to the general population due to the study's select sample.
Objective:
To know the incidence and natural development of acute otitis media (AOM) in a pediatric outpatient office.
Patients And Methods:
A descriptive study was performed on a population of 867 children, between the ages of 3 months and 7 years, diagnosed with AOM in a pediatric consultation room. The following data were recorded: age, gender, month, type of episode, number of visits to the consulting room and number of referrals to the ear, nose and throat specialist, as well as the symptoms and otoscopic signs that they showed. Observations were made after 15, 30 and 60 days.
Results:
Of this population, 146 children were diagnosed as having AOM. The incidence was 12.1% and 71.92% were new cases. The age with the larger number of AOM cases was 5 years (20.55%). February was the month with the most cases. The most frequent symptom was nasal congestion. Among the otoscopic signs, the most frequent were hyperaemia and convincing of the tympanic membrane.
Conclusions:
Because the study was conducted on a select population, that attended by this outpatient service, the found incidence could be lower than if the study had been conducted on the general population.