title: Is mother-child transmission a possible vehicle for xylitol prophylaxis in acute otitis media?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Xylitol can be a prophylaxis for acute otitis media (AOM), especially when administered via chewing gum, but that vehicle has limitations for children. This review sought evidence for links of mother-child transmission of bacteria and as a vehicle for xylitol as a prophylaxis for dental caries and its translation to AOM in infants and young children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Combining output from 43 search strings used earlier and submitting 20 new strings to PubMed resulted in 14 studies (six were excluded; eight were included). Included studies had to be published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals; involve mothers using xylitol; and assess bacteria or caries in their children. Evaluation forms were completed for search, retrieval, and quality assessment of included studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The studies showed that mothers' chewing xylitol gum was a prophylaxis against bacteria and caries in their children. A mother-child transmission model was presented as a possible vehicle for use in comprehensive prevention programs for AOM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential for xylitol use to prevent AOM warrants further study. A mother-child model may apply to AOM for transmission of bacteria and as a prophylaxis, but alternative vehicles like nasal sprays should be investigated for ease of use and effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA. danhauer@speech.ucsb.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Danhauer
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Carole E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D014993:Xylitol