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Balance in children with otitis media with effusion

H Cohen1, E M Friedman, D Lai

  • 1Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|August 6, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Young children with bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) show significant delays in motor skills requiring dynamic balance. Early assessment of balance is crucial for effective intervention planning in these cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Audiology

Background:

  • Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common in young children and may impact development.
  • Balance disorders can affect gross motor skills and overall development.
  • Early identification of developmental delays is critical for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and severity of balance disorders in young children diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME).
  • To compare motor development and balance skills between children with unilateral and bilateral OME.
  • To assess the correlation between parental perception of balance and objective test results.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 25 children aged 13-57 months with OME, diagnosed by pediatric otolaryngologists, was evaluated.
  • The gross motor subtest of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales was administered to assess motor development.
  • Parental questionnaires were used to gather subjective information on children's balance skills.

Main Results:

  • Children with bilateral OME demonstrated significant impairments in balance, locomotion, and overall motor scores compared to normative data.
  • Children with bilateral OME performed significantly worse on all measured scores compared to those with unilateral OME.
  • Parental perceptions of balance difficulties did not correlate strongly with objective test findings.

Conclusions:

  • Bilateral otitis media with effusion is associated with delayed development of dynamic balance and motor skills in young children.
  • Physicians should consider evaluating balance performance in children with OME, even without a reported history of balance problems.
  • Children identified with balance impairments may benefit from more intensive therapeutic interventions.

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