Allergy status in children with adenoid hypertrophy with and without serous otitis media

Abstract

Introduction: Serous otitis media (SOM) is one of the most common diseases of children which can lead to hearing loss and imbalance in many cases. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between allergy status and SOM in children with adenoid hypertrophy and whether affected by age group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 children aged 1-15 years with grade III or IV adenoid hypertrophy (± SOM) who referred to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic. Additionally, children were divided into two subgroups based on age category of below and above seven years. The allergy status in children with and without SOM was compared by measuring the total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, serum eosinophil level and skin prick test (SPT). Results: There was no difference in prevalence of mean absolute eosinophil count (127.3 versus 141.3 eosinophils/ µL, respectively) (P=0.63), mean total IgE level (68.2 versus 140 IU/L, respectively; P=0.119) and positive SPT results (23.5% versus 28.4%, respectively; P=0.551) between children with adenoid hypertrophy (± SOM). Conclusion: It seems absolute eosinophil count, total IgE level and positive SPT results have no significant role in SOM of children with adenoid hypertrophy and maybe other factors are implicated in its occurrence.