Abstract
Acute otitis media (AOM) is the commonest disease of childhood. High incidence of AOM might be due to immature Eustachian Tube and immaturity of immune system. Exclusive breast feeding is protective against acute otitis media, however, improper breastfeeding position can increase AOM occurrence in infants. This study aims to assess the association of improper breastfeeding position with occurrence of Acute otitis media in infants and to assess association of Maternal educational levels with feeding positions. 220 breastfed infants satisfying inclusion criteria with diagnosed AOM were enrolled. Study was conducted over a period of 6 months from August 2019 to January 2020. Demographic details and Detailed history regarding feeding positions and maternal educational levels were obtained through a Self-structured proforma from parents. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics and chi square test and p value less than 0.5 was set significant. Out of 220 infants, 123(55.90%) were male and 97(44.10%) were females. AOM was more common in male infants than female infants, however it was not statistically significant(p=0.169). The mean age for enrolled infants(1-12months) was 6.90(±3.413). Statistically significant association between increase incidence of AOM and breastfeeding position was found(p=0.032). We also found a statistically significant association between maternal educational levels and breastfeeding position (p= 0.000). In this study, we have noted that Breastfeeding in supine position is associated significantly with increase in incidence of AOM. Feeding positions are statistically associated with Maternal Educational levels.
Highlights
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is the commonest infection of childhood affecting children before 5 years of age
Prevalence was more among male infants than female infants, but it was not statistically significant(p=0.169)
Highest incidence of AOM was among infants with age between 10-12 followed by 7-9
Summary
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is the commonest infection of childhood affecting children before 5 years of age. Acute otitis media is defined clinicopathologically as inflammation of the mucoperiosteal lining of middle ear cleft of rapid onset, infective in origin, and associated with a middle ear effusion, and a varied collection of clinical symptoms, which include ear discharge, fever, irritability, earache, ear pulling and excessive crying [1,2,3,4]. Studies have shown that 80% of children will have experienced at least one episode of AOM by their 3rd year [5]. As indicated by one report, the global frequency pace of AOM is 10.85% with 709 million, cases per year of which children aged under 5 years contributed 51%. An investigation directed in 2005 indicated AOM frequency of
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