Otitis media is a condition that can occur in any of us, at any age. Some of us have never experienced middle ear pain, while others have had recurrent episodes of middle ear inflammation from a young age. Earache is a common condition seen in children up to about 3 years of age. The older the child, the lower the incidence.
Importantly, children in many cases endure earache very badly and in many cases it is preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Ear infections need to be treated very carefully as they can lead to many complications, such as hearing loss.
What are the causes and symptoms of otitis media in children?
In the majority of cases, around 90%, otitis media in children is preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. The main reason for the various types of ear infection in children is that the ear trumpet is very short, connects the eardrum to the throat and, importantly, has an open outlet at all times. This means that all sorts of viruses and bacteria from the nasopharynx can easily enter the ear. Other issues that favour otitis media are immaturity of the immune system in children, hypertrophy of the tonsils, chronic sinusitis and irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
About 80% of otitis media in children is caused by bacteria and very rarely by viruses. The most common symptoms of otitis media include fever, restlessness, vomiting, aversion to food, problems with sucking, headaches, diarrhoea, nausea, earache (very unpleasant, stabbing and throbbing), tinnitus and even hearing loss.
photo: panthermedia
Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in children
In order to diagnose otitis media, it is necessary to take a history from the child's parents or to have the child describe the symptoms (if they are large enough) and then carry out investigations, such as an otoscopic examination and, in some cases, an X-ray of the temporal bone. Once the diagnosis has been made, it is necessary to include antibiotics as well as painkillers, anti-inflammatory and decongestants for the nasal mucosa. Once the antibiotic treatment has been completed, a medical appointment should be made with the child, confirming that all is well.
