Otitis Media In Children: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Otitis media is an inflammatory ear condition common in babies and young children. Otitis media in children is caused by fluid accumulation in the ear following colds and respiratory infections. Since the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and the throat, is narrower and more horizontal in children, it prevents effective fluid drainage.

Otitis media generally affects the middle ear or the area behind the eardrum and can occur with or without infection.

Read this article to know about the types, symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of otitis media in children.

Types Of Otitis Media

There are three types of otitis media with different combinations of symptoms (1).

• Acute otitis media

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common type of ear infection and is characterized by abrupt redness and swelling in the ear. Fluid can be trapped behind the eardrum in AOM, leading to ear pain (earache) and fever in children.

• Otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion (OME), also known as serous otitis media (SOM), occurs when mucus and fluid (effusion) continue to accumulate in the middle year even after the infection resolves. This may make the child feel as though the ear is full and often impair hearing. Sometimes, no symptoms are seen in OME and may be found only during ear examinations.

• Chronic otitis media with effusion

Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) occurs when the fluid remains in the middle ear for a prolonged period or builds up repeatedly even without an infection. COME can affect the child’s ability to fight new ear infections and may impact their hearing.

Causes And Risk Factors For Otitis Media

Malfunction of the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat area, is the most common cause of middle ear infections (otitis media) in children. This can lead to fluid build-up in the middle ear, the area behind the eardrum. Accumulation of fluid can facilitate bacterial and viral growth in the ear and lead to acute otitis media (2).

The eustachian tube equalizes the pressure between the middle ear and the outer ear and drains the middle ear secretions to the nasopharynx (upper part of the throat). The following reasons may obstruct the drainage of secretions from the middle ear (2).

• Malformation of the eustachian tube (anatomical defects)

• Swelling and congestion of the nose, throat, and eustachian tube due to allergy or cold

Although many children can develop an ear infection, the following factors may increase the risk for it (2).

• Positive family history of middle ear infections

• Weakened immune system

• Exposure to secondhand smoke

• Allergies

• Bottle-fed while laying on their back when young

Signs And Symptoms Of Otitis Media In Children

The following signs and symptoms are commonly seen in otitis media. However, note that the symptoms of otitis media may vary in each child based on the type, severity, and cause of infection and may affect one or both ears (1).

• Irritability

• Fever, more common in young children

• Ear pain

• Tugging or pulling the ears

• Loss of balance

• Fluid discharge from the ears

• Hearing issues

Consult a pediatrician for an exact diagnosis since these symptoms can also be seen in other medical conditions.

Can Ear Infections Affect Hearing?

Mild hearing loss that comes and goes is often seen in middle ear infections. However, the impaired hearing gets better after the infection subsides (3).

Sound vibrations from outside the ear are carried through three tiny bones in the middle ear to the inner ear. Fluid buildup in the middle ear may reduce sound transmission, often leading to moderate or mild hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is called conductive hearing loss.

Permanent hearing loss may occur if a child has permanent middle ear structure or eardrum damage. Tearing of the eardrum due to otitis media may also impair hearing. However, this may heal on its own or can be repaired through surgery (4).

Other Complications Of Otitis Media

Hearing impairment in young children can impact their speech and language development and also cause a delay in developing other milestones and social skills in young children.

Untreated middle ear infections can spread into nearby tissues and often result in mastoiditis (infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear) and meningitis (infection of the brain membranes). Untreated ear discharge can predispose to tetanus (otogenic) (5).

Diagnosis Of Otitis Media

Doctors may inspect a child’s ear using a pneumatic otoscope, an instrument with a light, to diagnose otitis media. This may help visualize changes, such as redness, bulging, or opaque fluid due to middle ear infection. In addition, the doctor may obtain the child’s complete medical history (6).

Hearing tests or referrals to a specialist are recommended for children with chronic fluid acculturation in the ear and frequent ear infections since these may lead to hearing impairment in some cases.

Tympanometry, a test to measure the pressure in the middle ear to understand middle ear functioning, may also be performed. However, this test does not determine hearing in children and is often impossible in young children since they have to stay still without talking or moving.

Treatment For Otitis Media In Children

Antibiotic therapy is not beneficial for children aged two to 12 years and with mild symptoms. However, older children or those with severe symptoms of otitis media receive seven to ten days of antibiotic therapy.

Analgesics (pain relievers) such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are prescribed for earache. Ear examinations are repeated after 48 to 72 hours of treatment, and antibiotics are given if the symptoms persist (7).

Doctors may consider tympanocentesis, removing fluid behind the eardrum, in some children. A tympanostomy (surgical opening in the eardrum) tube is placed in children with bilateral otitis media and effusion lasting for more than three months and with hearing difficulties to drain the fluid.

Prevention For Otitis Media In Children

The following measures may reduce the risk of middle ear infections in children (3).

• Prevent common colds and other respiratory infections by teaching your child proper hygiene practices.

• Do not smoke indoors or near children.

• Bottle-feed young children in an upright position.

• Get vaccinations such as a pneumococcal vaccine, seasonal flu shots, and other vaccines to prevent ear infections.

• Exclusively breastfeed a child until six months if possible since they get protective antibodies.

References

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Reviewer

Dr. Prakhar NyatiMD

   

Dr Prakhar Nyati is an eminent pediatrician and neonatologist in Indore. He has done his MBBS and MD Pediatrics from MGM Medical College, MY Hospital and Chacha Nehru Children Hospital, a renowned medical college in central India.

Read full bio of Dr. Prakhar Nyati