Oral dexamethasone for treatment of persistent middle ear effusion.
A double-blind controlled study of oral dexamethasone (in a 2-week tapering dose from .15 mg/kg/d) v placebo in 49 pediatric patients (mean age 3.7 years) with persistent asymptomatic middle ear effusion of three or more weeks duration was conducted. Middle ear effusion resolution was determined by a myringotomy-validated algorithm that combined pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry. Four weeks after completing treatment, 1/26 (4%) patients receiving dexamethasone and 2/23 (9%) patients receiving placebo had completely cleared their middle ear effusion (95% confidence interval -0.05 +/- 0.14). Five of 26 (19%) patients receiving dexamethasone and 6/23 (26%) patients receiving placebo had improved their hearing in all affected ears by 10 dB or more (95% confidence interval -0.07 +/- 0.23). Oral dexamethasone as used in this study was not effective in treating persistent middle ear effusion in children.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013997:Time Factors
D003907:Dexamethasone