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Early acute otitis media and siblings' attendance at nursery
K J Kvaerner1, P Nafstad, J A Hagen
1Section of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Insights
Children with siblings in daycare are at higher risk for early acute otitis media (AOM). The number of children in daycare settings also increases the risk of AOM in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Early acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood illness.
- Exposure to respiratory pathogens is a key factor in AOM development.
- The role of social contact, particularly through siblings, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between early AOM and pathogen exposure via siblings and other children.
- To identify key risk factors for AOM in the first year of life.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 3754 Norwegian children from birth to 12 months.
- Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.
- Data collected on siblings' daycare attendance and group size.
Main Results:
- 25% of children experienced at least one episode of AOM in the first year.
- Siblings attending daycare significantly increased AOM risk (ORadj = 1.9).
- Larger daycare group sizes correlated with higher AOM incidence (ORadj = 2.0 for ≥4 children).
Conclusions:
- Siblings' daycare attendance is a primary risk factor for early AOM.
- The number of children in daycare settings is a significant determinant of AOM risk.
- Environmental factors, like daycare exposure, play a crucial role in early childhood infections.
Abstract:
To assess the relation between early acute otitis media and exposure to respiratory pathogens mediated by siblings and other children, a prospective cohort of 3754 Norwegian children born in 1992-3 was followed up from birth to 12 months. Of these, 25% had one or more episodes of acute otitis media during the first year. Results from multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding showed that siblings' attendance at daycare is the most important risk factor for early acute otitis media (adjusted odds ratio, ORadj = 1.9). The total number of children in the daycare setting is another determinant for early acute otitis media (ORadj = 2.0 in groups of four or more other children and ORadj = 1.3 in groups of one to three other children, as compared to those who are cared for alone). Having siblings in daycare outside the home and the number of children in the daycare setting are the most important determinants for early acute otitis media.