Related Experiment Videos
Hearing deficits at school age; the predictive value of otitis media in infants
G A Zielhuis1, A A Gerritsen, W H Gorissen
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Persistent or recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) in infants can predict later hearing problems. Children with a history of OME in their first two years face a higher risk of hearing deficits in early school age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common in infants and can impact development.
- Early identification of risk factors for hearing impairment is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if persistent or recurrent OME in infancy predicts hearing levels at early school age.
- To assess the long-term impact of infant OME on auditory function.
Main Methods:
- A case-cohort study was conducted on a population-based sample of schoolchildren.
- Hearing status was assessed via hearing screening tests.
- History of OME was collected through questionnaires, medical records, and early screening data.
Main Results:
- Children with recurrent/persistent OME in the first two years had a significantly increased risk of failing school audiometry (OR=2.3).
- Failure of the early Ewing hearing test also predicted later hearing deficits.
- Logistic modeling indicated that early test results and acute otitis media frequency were moderately predictive of school-age hearing screening outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Infant OME is a significant prognostic factor for hearing performance during the early school years.
- Early hearing screening and OME history are valuable indicators for identifying children at risk of hearing impairment.
Aim:
To evaluate the long-term predictive value of persistent/recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) in infants in relation with hearing levels at (early) school age.
Design:
A case-cohort study among a population-based sample of school-age children screened for hearing deficits.
Population And Methods:
Schoolchildren (second grade, 5-6 years of age) in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands, who failed the hearing screening test and a sample of children invited for this screening. History of otitis media (serosa and acute) was assessed using three sources of information: a self-completion questionnaire mailed to the parents; medical records of otolaryngology visits; data from the (Ewing) hearing screening test at 9 months of age.
Results:
Children who failed the primary Ewing test and children with recurrent and or persistent OME in the first 2 years of life showed an increased risk of failing school audiometry compared to children without such an OME history (OR=1.6 and 2.3, respectively). In a logistic model, the results of the primary Ewing test and the frequency of acute otitis media, proved to be moderately predictive for the screening test result at school age.
Conclusion:
OME in infants is a prognostic factor for hearing performance in the early school years.