title: Otitis media with effusion in preschool children.
abstract: The incidence, prevalence, and natural history of otitis media with effusion (OME) and middle ear high negative pressure (HNP) were investigated in a group of 2 to 6 year old preschool children. The children were examined monthly over a two year period from September 1981 to August 1983. The middle ear status was assessed using a decision-tree algorithm which combined the findings of pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex measurements. Fifty-three percent of the children in the first year and 61% in the second year developed OME; also during the two years, HNP was documented in 66% of the children. Eighty percent of OME episodes lasted only two months. The prevalence of OME and HNP showed a seasonal variation and a strong association with the presence of upper respiratory infections (URIs). The incidence of OME was independent of age. These data indicate that OME and HNP are prevalent conditions with a high spontaneous recovery in the preschool population.
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011312:Pressure; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States