Hypothyroidism in Children with Serous Otitis Media

Abstract

Introduction Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterised by fluid retention behind the eardrum without general or local infection symptoms. OME is a common disease in children with an incidence of 15% to 20% and may lead to hearing loss or surgical intervention (1). In most children, otitis media improves spontaneously and has a good prognosis, but approximately 10% of paediatric patients experience repeated or chronic OME (2). With few exceptions, it is difficult to predict which children with OME will develop the chronic form. Otitis media with effusion is multifactorial. There are many epidemiologic factors that increase the risk of OME development; these include upper respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, Eustachian tube dysfunction, cigarette smoking (passive), bottle fed rather than breast fed, male sex, immunological deficiency, cilia dysfunction, and cleft palate disease.