title: Otitis media with effusion in children: an audiological case series study.
abstract: Otitis media with effusion (OME) was studied in detail in 100 children seen at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic of Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) between June 1992 and June 1994. More males were examined than females. The majority of patients were from the National Capital District and Central Province. Pure-tone and impedance audiometry were performed to assess the type, amount and pattern of hearing loss. A characteristic audiogram for OME with improved air conduction (AC) and decreased bone conduction (BC) hearing at 2 KHz and AC loss at both low and high frequencies was established. Bilateral myringotomy and grommet insertion was performed in 30 of these children. Significant improvement in hearing threshold at all frequencies was found, indicating hearing success with surgery. Otitis media with effusion is a disease of considerable public health importance and there is a need to increase public and professional awareness of it in Papua New Guinea.
authors.affiliation: Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Port Moresby General Hospital, Boroko, Papua New Guinea.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aithal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aithal
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulotu
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009512:New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution