Predictive value of parent-reported symptoms in the assessment of otitis media with effusion during infancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictive value of parent-reported symptoms in the assessment of otitis media with effusion (OME) during infancy.


METHODS
Prospective longitudinal study that compared the results of questionnaire-based parental reports with the state of the middle ear assessed by otoscopy and tympanometry at 3-month intervals from birth to the age of 2 years.


METHODS
Outpatient Department, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.


METHODS
One hundred and fifth healthy-born infants.


METHODS
Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of parent-reported ear infection, hearing loss, mouth breathing, snoring and common cold.


RESULTS
Prevalence rates showed the following ranges: OME, 39%-53%, parent-reported ear infection, 2%-20%, hearing loss 2%-7%, mouth breathing, 30%-41%, snoring, 31%-41% and common cold, 65%-81%. Common cold demonstrated the highest sensitivity (83%) with a low specificity of 36%. Hearing loss gave the highest positive predictive value (PPV) (70%) with a moderate negative predictive value (NPV) (54%). PPV increased with the number of anamnese questions answered positively.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic value of parent-reported ear infection, hearing loss and common cold was found to be limited. Combinations of positively-reported symptoms gives increased diagnostic validity while the absence of parent-reported symptoms does not necessarily indicate the absence of OME.
Engel
J
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Anteunis
L
L
Volovics
A
A
Hendriks
J
J
Marres
E
E
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires