[Risk factors for otitis media with effusion in children].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME) in some kindergarten children in Wuhan City of China and analyze the results with reference to the review of the literature.


METHODS
The study subjects were 3 to 6 years old children drawn from a school screening program for OME in Wuhan. All subjects were assessed with routine otorhinolaryngologic examination, otoscopic examination and tympanometry. During the test, parents were interviewed to provide information with regard to the children's birth history, neonatal history, feeding history, family smoke history, otological history, rhinorrhea, sneeze, nasal obstruction, snoring, tonsillitis episodes history, et al. These data formed the basis in the estimation of potential risk factors for OME.


RESULTS
In the univariate analysis of 144 cases and 288 controls, significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) for OME were detected on the symptoms of nasal obstruction (OR = 2.60, P = 0.002), rhinorrhoea (OR = 1.442, P = 0.003), high hard palate (OR = 4.411, P < 0.0001), and previous history of acute otitis media (OR = 1.77, P = 0.025). However, four factors were found to be significant in the multivariate logistic regression model, including feeding history (OR = 0.746, P = 0.047), nasal obstruction (OR = 2.56, P = 0.003) and previous acute otitis media episodes (OR = 1.735, P = 0.032).


CONCLUSIONS
Previous acute otitis media episodes and nasal obstruction were risk factors, which was accordant with literature. In addition, breastfeeding was a protective factor for OME, but acute tonsillitis was not a factor for OME. A child who had previous acute otitis media episode and often had nasal obstruction is suggested to have otorhinolaryngologic regulatory examination.
Chen
Ping
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Wuhan Medical and Health Center for Women and Children, Wuhan 430016, China.
Wang
Zhi-nan
ZN
Xu
Zhong-qiang
ZQ
Wei
You-hua
YH
Yao
Shun-fang
SF
Peng
An-na
AN
Zhang
Dan
D
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires