Otitis media in early childhood and later language.
The relationship between early otitis media with effusion (OME) experience and later language development was examined in a prospective cohort study of 30 children from middle-class families and 33 children from low-income families. Ear status was monitored using otoscopy and tympanometry during wellness and illness periods between birth and 3 years of age. Language was assessed using standardized tests and a language sample between 4 1/2 and 6 years. Findings suggested no reliable relationship between early OME experience and later language development.
Roberts
J E
JE
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Burchinal
M R
MR
Davis
B P
BP
Collier
A M
AM
Henderson
F W
FW
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012923:Social Class