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Acute otitis media in children with bronchiolitis

M A Andrade1, A Hoberman, J Glustein

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Pediatrics
|April 29, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial acute otitis media (AOM) frequently complicates bronchiolitis in children. This study found bacterial pathogens in most AOM cases, indicating antimicrobial treatment is necessary for these young patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection in infants.
  • Acute otitis media (AOM) often co-occurs with bronchiolitis.
  • The role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) versus bacteria in AOM during bronchiolitis is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and causes of AOM in children with bronchiolitis.
  • To assess if AOM in this population is primarily viral (RSV) or bacterial.
  • To inform appropriate treatment strategies for AOM in bronchiolitis patients.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 42 children aged 2-24 months with bronchiolitis.
  • Middle-ear aspirates analyzed for bacteria (Gram stain, culture) and RSV (RT-PCR).
  • Patients with AOM monitored for development of other otitis media types.

Main Results:

  • 62% of children with bronchiolitis developed AOM.
  • Bacterial pathogens were identified in all AOM cases.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis were common isolates.
  • RSV was detected in 71% of AOM patients, but bacteria were consistently present.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial AOM is a frequent complication of bronchiolitis.
  • Antimicrobial treatment is indicated for children with bronchiolitis and AOM.
  • RSV presence does not preclude bacterial etiology in AOM during bronchiolitis.
Abstract

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