12 Aug Early Onset of Pediatric Acute Otitis Media Raises Risk of More Frequent Episodes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Marieke de Hoog
Marieke de Hoog
Assistant Professor
Julius Centrum voor Gezondheidswetenschappen en Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde
UMC Utrecht
The Netherlands
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a prime reason for doctor consultations and antibiotic use in children. Although symptoms of AOM may resolve spontaneously, these infections have a significant impact on child and family life and carry a considerable health care and economic burden. Acute otitis media occurring early in life, also called early-onset AOM, has been suggested as a risk factor for subsequent Acute otitis media episodes during childhood and could therefore also impact health care resource use. Identifying the critical age-period and quantifying the long-term consequences of early-onset AOM is important to guide future management and prevention programs aiming to reduce the burden of AOM.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Younger age of first acute otitis media is associated with an increased risk of developing recurrent AOM (defined as three AOM episodes in six months or four in one year) and increased acute otitis media healthcare utilization up to age six years, particularly when a first AOM occurs within the first nine months of life.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Based on our findings, children experiencing a first acute otitis media within the first nine months of life are at high-risk for developing multiple AOM recurrences and a more tailored management approach may be appropriate for these children.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future research should determine whether a risk-stratified approach with tailored management for children experiencing a first acute otitis media occurring before 9 months of age could improve their prognosis and reduce overall acute otitis media disease burden during childhood.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Impact of Early-Onset Acute Otitis Media on Multiple Recurrences and Associated Health Care Use
Marieke L.A. de Hoog, PhD Alexandre C. Fortanier, MSc, Henriette A. Smit, PhD, CunoS.P.M. Uiterwaal, MD, PhD, Cornelis K. van der Ent, MD, PhD, Anne Schilder, MD, PhD, RogerA.M.J. Damoiseaux, MD, PhD, Roderick P. Venekamp, MD, PhD, Patricia Bruijning-Verhagen, MD, PhD
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.06.066
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Last Updated on August 12, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD