Evaluation of posturographic indicators in children with non-purulent acute otitis media

Abstract

Nowadays otitis media still remains one of the most common diseases of the middle ear in children [1]. The interconnection between otitis media and its effect on vestibular function in children has not been thoroughly studied yet. The aim of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of stabilometric indicators of preschool children, diagnosed with non-purulent acute otitis media, and their relatively healthy typically developed peers. Materials and methods: 22 children, diagnosed with non-purulent acute otitis media, and their 25 relatively healthy typically developed peers aged 4 to 7, have been examined on the device "MPFI Stabilograph 1" (AS-TER IT, LLC, Kharkiv, Ukraine). The research has taken into account indicators of variation and shape of pressure center distribution, spectral-correlation indicators of stabilograms, as well as integral indicators of stability (length, velocity and angle of postural oscillations) and quality of equilibrium function in two sensory states (open and closed eyes). The obtained data have been calculated in the StabiliS software. Results: In children with non-purulent otitis, the coordinates of the pressure center are (7.04 [2.16 – 10.09]; -1.14 [-28.90 - 9.11]), and in the control group – (7.04 [3.30-16.16]; -13.72 [(-25.17) – (-10.30)]) with eyes closed. The average project ion figure of the pressure center in the sample with closed eyes is actually represented by a circle (ratio of Y / X axes = 0.98 [0.88; 1.14]) in non-purulent otitis media, and in the control group - an ellipse (Y / X axis ratio) = 1.16 [1.01; 1.33]). This indicates the lack of dominance of the ankle strategy to maintain posture in non-purulent otitis in the absence of visual control, and points to the presence of hidden vestibular disorders in non-purulent acute otitis media. Conclusion: The main result of our study is the discovery of the statistically significant decrease in the stability of the main posture and predictability of oscillatory movements in preschool children with acute nonpurulent otitis media compared with the control group only in the absence of visual control, i.e. in closed eyes. Also, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences have been found between children with acute non-purulent otitis media and control, namely the coefficient of equilibrium function only in the state with closed eyes. Decreased KFR values in children with non-purulent otitis indicate a decrease in the quality of postural control compared to control group. Given the almost asymptomatic nature of otitis media in preschool children, violations of postural control in non-purulent otitis media indicate the presence of latent vestibular disorders, which must be considered for the diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in children.