title: Contemporary concepts in management of acute otitis media in children.
abstract: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common disease of childhood. AOM is most appropriately diagnosed by careful otoscopy with an understanding of clinical signs and symptoms. The distinction between AOM and chronic otitis media with effusion should be emphasized. Treatment should include pain management, and initial antibiotic treatment should be given to those most likely to benefit, including young children, children with severe symptoms, and those with otorrhea and/or bilateral AOM. Tympanostomy tube placement may be helpful for those who experience frequent episodes of AOM or fail medical therapy. Recent practice guidelines may assist the clinician with such decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rettig
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, Room 6161B, Baltimore, MD 21287-0910, USA. Electronic address: dtunkel@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tunkel
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019468:Disease Management; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D038781:Otoscopy / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Acute otitis media; Clinical practice guidelines; Ear infections; Middle ear effusion; Tympanostomy tubes