Prevention of acute and recurrent otitis media

Abstract

Epidemiological studies of acute otitis media during the past decade have shown that acute otitis media is developing at an earlier age and that the proportion of children having multiple episodes before age 1 year has been increasing over the past decade. Concerns about a delay in language development and altered behaviour remain paramount among both professionals and parents. Parents of children with recurrent otitis media report anxiety about the unpredictable nature of their child's illness, excess time lost from work, and frustration with ineffective treatment.