Otitis media in early infancy

Abstract

Acute purulent otitis media (APOM) occurs frequently during childhood, particularly in the first two years of life.le5 However, this infection seems to develop less often in infants less than three months of age. Additionally, APOM in the child during the first three months is difficult to diagnose and may lead to serious complications. It is often necessary to attempt to isolate a specific etiologic agent and to begin treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Because APOM affects young infants less often than older children, the emergency physician may not be fully aware of its manifestations during the first few months of life; yet, an accurate diagnosis assumes even greater importance because of the potential for life-threatening complications. We describe a neonate seen in our emergency department with bacteriologically confirmed APOM and discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, bacteriology, complications, and treatment regimens in the young infant.