Risk Of Otitis Media Research Articles

Risk of otitis media in offspring following maternal prenatal stress exposure

ObjectivesThere is limited but consistent evidence that suggests prenatal factors, including maternal stress, may contribute to susceptibility for otitis media. We aimed to determine the effect of multiple life stress events during pregnancy on risk of acute and recurrent otitis media in offspring at three and five years of age. MethodsExposure data on stressful life events were collected from pregnant women in a longitudinal prospective pregnancy cohort study, at 18 and 34 weeks’ gestation. We used longitudinal regression models stratified by offspring sex to examine associations between the number, type and timing of maternal prenatal stress events and the likelihood of any OM in addition to recurrent OM infection at age three and five years, adjusting for pre-specified prenatal sociodemographic and environmental confounders. ResultsEach additional stressful life event in pregnancy was associated with increased risk of any OM at both ages (3 years: OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.02, 1.12; 5 years: OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.02, 1.12), with larger effect sizes for recurrent otitis media (3 years: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.05, 1.17; 5 years: OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.04, 1.14). Risk of offspring otitis media did not differ with timing of stress nor by offspring sex. Specific types of stress (pregnancy and relationship problems, issues with other children) were each associated with increased risk of recurrent OM at age three and five years. ConclusionsWe observed a dose-response relationship between maternal stressful life events in pregnancy and the risk for offspring otitis media in the preschool years, most marked for recurrent otitis media.

The use of hearing tests to assess otitis media with effusion in children with Down syndrome

BackgroundDown syndrome is associated with an increased risk for otitis media with effusion (OME), a childhood condition in which fluid accumulates in the middle ear, potentially leading to hearing loss. The American Academy of Pediatrics Down syndrome guidelines and the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery OME guidelines recommend hearing testing to assess the hearing status of children with Down syndrome diagnosed with OME. MethodsThrough an Institutional Review Board approved retrospective chart review at Children's Mercy, this project assessed how clinical factors affect the frequency in which children with Down syndrome receive hearing testing after diagnosis of OME. The study included data from all children with Down syndrome between 1 and 8 years old diagnosed with OME in the Down syndrome, general pediatrics, and otolaryngology clinics between 2018 and 2020. Demographics and clinical factors, including clinic setting, were collected. ResultsOf the 124 patients identified, 91.1 % were diagnosed with OME in the otolaryngology clinic and 33.1 % received hearing testing. While most diagnoses occurred in the otolaryngology clinic, a higher proportion of hearing testing at the time of diagnosis occurred in the Down syndrome clinic. This could be explained by the fact that the Down syndrome clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic, where yearly visits include hearing screening. Bivariate analysis using chi-square or Fisher's tests showed that clinic setting had a significant association (p-value <0.001) with hearing testing. However, logistic regression depicted all clinical factors had an insignificant effect on hearing testing at 5 % significance. ConclusionWhile results indicate hearing testing is largely not performed to assess OME early in otolaryngology clinics, they may be used to assess intervention efficacy post-diagnosis. Results point to the importance of Down syndrome clinics in early diagnosis of hearing loss leading to timely referrals to otolaryngology clinics which diagnose and manage OME in children with Down syndrome.

Is there an increased risk of otitis media in children with obstructive sleep apnea?

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of otitis media and other otolaryngologic disorders in children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) compared to those without OSA in a large cohort. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was carried within the US Collaborative Network within TriNetX. The OSA group was defined by ICD-10 code G47.33 and non-OSA group excluded patients with OSA. Both groups were required to have a CPT code for an outpatient visit to act as a control: 99202–99215. Propensity score matching for age, sex, and race was performed. Prevalence of otitis media (ICD-10H65, H66), chronic otitis media (ICD-10H66.1, H66.2, H66.3, H65.2, H65.3, and H65.4), tympanostomy (CPT 69433, 69436), adenoidectomy (CPT 42830, 42831), tonsillectomy (CPT 42825, 42826), adenotonsillectomy (CPT 42820, 42821), and allergic rhinitis (ICD-10 J30.9) were compared in this cohort. ResultsPropensity score matching yielded 165,665 (M = 95949, F = 69901) patients with a mean age of 10.7 (SD = 4.07) for each cohort. Children with OSA were 1.27x and 3.86x more likely to be diagnosed with otitis media and chronic otitis media, respectively (P<.0001). They were 3.81x more likely to undergo a tympanostomy (P<.0001). Children with OSA were 4.1x, 18.2x, and 24.7x more likely undergo an adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and adenotonsillectomy, respectively (P<.0001). Children with OSA were also 2.03x as likely to have a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (P<.0001). ConclusionChildren with OSA experience otitis media and related surgical intervention more than children without OSA. Since allergic rhinitis and adenoid hypertrophy are contributors to both OSA and AOM, their increased prevalence in children with OSA may explain their increased frequency of AOM.

Audiology-led model provides efficient and effective access to grommet surgery

ABSTRACT Children with otitis media who are referred to paediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) departments often experience significant delays in treatment. Alternate models of care utilising audiologists with extended scopes of practice can potentially improve outcomes in services experiencing difficulties with high demand and insufficient ORL capacity. An Advanced Audiology Practitioner (AAP) service was implemented in Counties Manukau to combat known long wait times for children with otitis media. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and service outcomes of the 165 children referred to the AAP service during the initial 3 month period of operation. Engagement with the AAP service was high, with a 96% attendance rate at the first appointment. The proportion of children waiting longer than recommended (>120 days) for paediatric ORL appointments was reduced by 33%, and the average wait time for children seen in the AAP service was reduced from 196 to 14 days. The AAP model provided an efficient and effective clinical service, with 55% of children seen in a single visit and 91% of waitlisted children having middle ear effusion on myringotomy. In conclusion, the AAP model improves access to ORL treatment, particularly for children at risk for otitis media and associated hearing loss.

Multi-institutional Assessment of Otitis Media Epidemiology Using Real-world Data

ObjectivesTo determine rates and risk factors of pediatric otitis media (OM) using real-world electronic health record (PEDSnet) data from January 2009 through May 2021. Study designRetrospective cohort study. SettingSeven pediatric academic health systems that participate in PEDSnet. MethodsChildren <6 months-old at time of first outpatient, Emergency Department, or inpatient visit were included and followed longitudinally. A time-to-event analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to estimate hazard ratios for OM incidence based on sociodemographic factors and specific health conditions. ResultsThe PEDSnet cohort included 910,265 children, 54.3% male, mean age (months) 1.3 [standard deviation (SD) 1.6] and mean follow up (years) 4.3 (SD 3.2). By age 3 years, 39.6% of children had evidence of one OM episode. OM rates decreased following pneumococcal-13 vaccination (PCV-13) and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with young age, non-Hispanic Black/African American or Hispanic race/ethnicity, public insurance, higher family income, and male sex had higher incidence rates. Health conditions that increased OM risk included cleft palate [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 4.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9–4.2], primary ciliary dyskinesia [aHR 2.5 (95% CI 1.8–3.5)], trisomy 21 [aHR 2.0 (95% CI 1.9–2.1)], atopic dermatitis [aHR 1.4 (95% CI 1.4–1.4)], and gastroesophageal reflux [aHR1.5 (95% CI 1.5–1.5)]. ConclusionsApproximately 20% of children by age 1 and 40% of children by age 3 years will have experienced an OM episode. OM rates decreased after PCV-13 and COVID-19. Children with abnormal ciliary function or craniofacial conditions, specifically cleft palate, carry the highest risk of OM.

Association of cesarean section and infectious outcomes among infants at 1 year of age: Logistic regression analysis using data of 104,065 records from the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

There has been a recent decrease in the prevalence of infectious diseases in children worldwide due to the usage of vaccines. However, the association between cesarean delivery and infectious diseases remains unclear. Here, we aimed to clarify the association between cesarean delivery and the development of infectious diseases. This study is a cross-sectional study. We used data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, which is a prospective, nationwide, government-funded birth cohort study. The data of 104,065 records were included. Information about the mode of delivery, central nervous system infection (CNSI), otitis media (OM), upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), gastrointestinal infection (GI), and urinary tract infection (UTI) was obtained from questionnaires and medical records transcripts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between cesarean delivery and CNSI, OM, URTI, LRTI, GI, and UTI risk. We included a total of 74,477 subjects in this study, of which 18.4% underwent cesarean deliveries. After adjusting for the perinatal, socioeconomic, and postnatal confounding factors, children born by cesarean delivery did not have an increased risk of developing CNSI (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46-1.35), OM (95% CI 0.99-1.12), URTI (95% CI 0.97-1.06), LRTI (95% CI 0.98-1.15), GI (95% CI 0.98-1.11), or UTI (95% CI 0.95-1.45). This nationwide cohort study did not find an association between cesarean delivery and CNSI, OM, URTI, LRTI, GI, and UTI. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of cesarean delivery in the development of infectious diseases.

Protective Characteristics of Human Breast Milk on Early Childhood Otitis Media: A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Human breast milk (HBM) contains a complex and dynamically changing variety of factors that contribute to the infant's developing immune system's ability to fight upper respiratory tract infections, including otitis media (OM). We sought to summarize the current evidence on the protective characteristics of HBM, through direct or donated feeding, toward early childhood OM. Methods: For this narrative review, we performed a literature search on OM in the context of HBM feeding in the PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases, between January 1, 2008, and July 1, 2023. Results: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) provides a short-term immunity of 2-3 days against otopathogens causing OM. IgA-mediated immunity is effective against OM up to 7 months of age if breastfeeding continues. The role of transferred IgM and IgG in HBM is unclear. Although there is a potential protective value of microRNA, hormones, oligosaccharides, stem cells, and interleukins present in HBM, their role is unclear. Any duration of breastfeeding is superior to no breastfeeding in OM risk reduction, with a big variability among studies (odds ratio 0.23-0.81, depending on the duration). Duration of breastfeeding ≥6 months was found to be the most effective in OM risk reduction, but there was no evidence of continued benefits after 2 years of age. Expressed breastfeeding was not shown to be more beneficial. The protective values of donor HBM against OM are still undetermined. Conclusion: HBM has numerous components that contribute to protection against early childhood OM.

Tobacco Exposure During Pregnancy and Infections in Infants up to 1 Year of Age: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Tobacco exposure during pregnancy is associated with several adverse outcomes in infants. We investigated the association between tobacco exposure during pregnancy (both active and second-hand) and various infections in infants up to 1 year. This prospective cohort study used a fixed dataset (jecs-an-20180131) from the Japan Environment and Children's Study of registered births in Japan during 2011-2014 that included 104,065 fetal records from enrolled pregnant women. Based on the participants' responses to the questionnaire on smoking status, mothers were first divided into "Never smoked," "Quit smoking," and "Current smoker" groups and then into "No second-hand smoking (SHS)" and "SHS" groups. Infectious diseases included central nervous system infection, otitis media (OM), upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), gastroenteritis (GI), and urinary tract infection. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression analysis and adjusted for maternal, socioeconomic, and postnatal confounding factors. Among the 73,205 newborns enrolled, multivariable analysis revealed that the aOR (95% CI) of LRTI and GI was 1.20 (1.07-1.33) and 1.18 (1.04-1.35), respectively, for the "Current smoker with/without SHS" group compared with the "Never smoked without SHS" group. "Quit smoking without SHS" was not associated with the risk of LRTI. SHS was associated with an increased risk of OM, URTI, LRTI, and GI, especially with LRTI and GI. Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of OM, URTI, LRTI, and GI in infants during their first year of life.

Causal Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Risk of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BackgroundBody mass index(BMI) in children appears to be associated with Otitis media with effusion(OME) in observational studies, but the causal relationship is not clear.MethodsA two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was used to explore the causal relationship between childhood BMI and OME in people of European ancestry. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of childhood BMI were used as exposures (n = 61,111), while GWAS of OME were used as outcomes (n = 429,290). The weighted inverse variance method (IVW) was used as a baseline method to test for causality. In addition, MR-Egger, simple mode analysis, weighted median, and weighted mode were used as complementary methods.MR-PRESSO analysis, MR-Egger intercept analysis, and Cochran’s Q statistical analysis were also used to detect possible directional heterogeneity and polymorphism. To assess this association, we used ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (ci). All statistical analyses were performed in R.ResultsWe selected 22 genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from GWAS as instrumental variables (IVW). the IVW approach showed evidence supporting a causal relationship between BMI and OME in children (β = 0.265, SE = 0.113, P = 0.018). MR-Egger regression showed that targeted polymorphisms were unlikely to bias the results bias (intercept=-0.022; P = 0.488), but there was no causal relationship between BMI and OME (β = 0.584, SE = 0.465, P = 0.224). Although the results of the IVW and MR Egger analyses were not consistent, the IVW analysis maintained higher precision, and the Cochran Q test, heterogeneity and polymorphism tests showed no heterogeneity, no directionality and no polymorphism.ConclusionsMR studies suggest that genetically predicted body mass index in childhood is associated with an increased risk of OME. Notably, given the limitations of this study, the mechanism of association between body mass index and OME in childhood needs further investigation. These results support the importance of effective management of obesity, which may reduce OME occurrence and decrease OME recurrence.

Effects of pre-natal and post-natal exposures to air pollution on onset and recurrence of childhood otitis media

BackgroundDespite mounting evidence linking outdoor air pollution with otitis media (OM), the role of air pollutant(s) exposure during which critical window(s) on childhood OM remains unknown. ObjectivesWe sought to identify the key air pollutant(s) and critical window(s) associated with the onset and recurrent attacks of OM in kindergarten children. MethodsA combined cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study involving 8689 preschoolers aged 3–6 years was performed in Changsha, China. From 2013–2020, data on air pollutants were collected from ambient air quality monitoring stations in Changsha, and the exposure concentration to each child at their home address was calculated using the inverse distance weighted (IDW) method. The relationship between air pollution and OM in kindergarten children was studied using multiple logistic regression models. ResultsChildhood lifetime OM was associated with PM2.5, SO2 and NO2, with ORs (95% CI) of 1.43 (1.19–1.71), 1.18 (1.01–1.37) and 1.18 (1.00–1.39) by per IQR increase in utero exposure and with PM2.5, PM2.5–10 and PM10, with ORs = 1.15 (1.00–1.32), 1.25 (1.13–1.40) and 1.49 (1.28–1.74) for entire post-natal exposure, respectively. The 2nd trimester in utero and the post-natal period, especially the 1st year, were key exposure time windows to PM2.5 and PM10 associated with lifetime OM and the onset of OM. Similarly, the 4th gestational month was a critical window for all pollutants except CO exposure in relation to lifetime OM and OM onset, but not recurrent OM attacks. PM2.5 exposure during the nine gestational months and PM10 exposure during the first three years had cumulative effects on OM development. Our subgroup analysis revealed that certain children were more susceptible to the OM risk posed by air pollution. ConclusionsEarly-life exposure to air pollution, particularly PM2.5 during the middle of gestation and PM10 during the early post-natal period, was associated with childhood OM.

Evaluating the risk of infections under interleukin 23 and interleukin 17 inhibitors relative to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors - A population-based study.

The risk of infections among patients with psoriasis undergoing interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors (IL-23i) and IL-17 inhibitors (IL-17i) is yet to be exhaustively determined. To assess the risk of infectious complications in patients with psoriasis managed by IL-23i and IL-17i with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) as a comparator. A global cohort study comprised two distinct analyses comparing patients with psoriasis under different therapeutic modalities; (i) new users of IL-23i (n = 5272) versus TNFi (n = 5272) and (ii) new users of IL-17i (n = 15,160) versus TNFi (n = 15,160). Study groups were compared regarding the risk of 26 different infections. Propensity score matching was conducted to optimize between-group comparability. Patients under IL-23i had a lower risk of otitis media (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44-0.97), encephalitis (HR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04-0.78), herpes zoster (HZ; HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.41-0.82), hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.47), cytomegalovirus (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07-0.86), influenza (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38-0.71) and parasitic diseases (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.95). IL-17i was associated with a decreased risk of pneumonia (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68-0.85), septicaemia (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.97), upper respiratory tract infection (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.92), HZ (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67-0.92), HBV (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.46-0.76) and hepatitis C virus (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.88) reactivation, cytomegalovirus (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.93), Epstein-Barr virus (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.19-0.75), influenza (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.81) and parasitic diseases (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.88). Compared with TNFi, IL-23i and IL-17i are associated with decreased risk of several infectious diseases. These agents might be preferred in patients with susceptibility to infections.

Treacher Collins Syndrome Associated with Disproportionate Nervous System, Cardiovascular, Otologic Complications Among 1,114 Patients.

To compare the rates of selected nervous system, cardiovascular, and otologic abnormalities in patients with and without Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS). Retrospective TriNetX platform cohort study. Aggregated and deidentified electronic health record (EHR) data from across the United States. Patients with TCS (n = 1,114) and a propensity matched control cohort without TCS (n = 1,114 matched from n = 110,368,585). Prevalence and relative risk (RR) of selected diagnoses in a propensity-matched cohort. The RR of congenital malformations of the circulatory system in patients with TCS was 8.5 (95% CI 4.44-16.28). Patients with TCS also had higher rates of otologic abnormalities including conductive hearing loss (RR 44, 95% CI 24-83) and nervous system disorders including movement disorders (RR 2.60, 95% CI 1.27-5.50) and recurrent seizures (RR 4.2, 95% CI 2.12-8.33). We found a significantly elevated risk in TCS patients within all three systems. We postulate that the nervous system effects may be the result of one of the TCS-linked genes, for which a mutation has also been associated with progressive ataxia, cerebellar atrophy, hypomyelination, and seizures. As the previously-identified causal genes influence neural crest cells that form the head and face, these cells may also populate cardiac structures, resulting in cardiovascular abnormalities. Finally, the characteristic craniofacial abnormalities identified in TCS impair hearing and are associated with increased risk of otitis media. Our findings may help researchers to hypothesize the function of the genes underlying TCS, as well as to inform the care of affected individuals.

A retrospective cohort study investigating the comparative effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines against hospitalisation with otitis media and pneumonia in New Zealand

BackgroundSince 2008 New Zealand has used three different formulations of pneumococcal vaccines on the national infant schedule, PCV7, PCV10 and PCV13, switching between PCV10 and PCV13 twice in 10 years. We have used New Zealand’s linkable, administrative health data to examine the comparative risk of otitis media (OM) and pneumonia hospitalisations among children receiving three different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data. Outcomes were otitis media, all cause pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia related hospitalisation for children in three cohorts representing periods where PCVs transitioned between PCV7, PCV10, PCV13 and back to PCV10 between 2011 and 2017. Cox’s proportional hazard regression was used to provide hazard ratio estimates to compare outcomes for children vaccinated with different vaccine formulations and to adjust for different sub population characteristics. ResultsEach observation period, where different vaccine formulations coincided, and therefore comparable with respect to age and the environment, included over fifty-thousand infants and children. PCV10 was associated with a reduced risk for OM compared with PCV7 (Adjusted HR 0.89, 95 %CI 0.82–0.97). There were no significant differences between PCV10 and PCV13 in risk of hospitalisation with either otitis media or all-cause pneumonia amongst the transition 2 cohort. In the 18 -month follow-up, after transition 3, PCV13 was associated with a marginally higher risk of all-cause pneumonia and otitis media compared to PCV10. ConclusionThese results should offer reassurance about the equivalence of these pneumococcal vaccines against the broader pneumococcal disease outcomes OM and pneumonia.

Knowledge and attitudes of female caregivers in Samoa to childhood hearing loss and hearing services

ObjectivesTo assess the knowledge and attitudes of 150 female caregivers in Samoa to childhood hearing loss and hearing services, and to compare findings between urban (n = 100) and rural-dwelling (n = 50) caregivers. MethodsA semi-structured interview using a 26-item questionnaire was administered to participants in the Samoan language. Participants were required to respond “yes”, “no”, or “unsure”. ResultsHighest awareness of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was found for otitis media (88.7%), followed by noise exposure (64.7%) and family history (38%). Highest awareness of public health measures that may prevent/reduce otitis media was found for routine childhood immunizations (74.7%) and breast-feeding for first 6 months of life (69.3%). Overall, 40% of Samoan caregivers agreed that curses may cause childhood hearing loss. There was overwhelming support for community-based hearing services for newborns/infants (98%) and school students (97.3%). ConclusionsThere is positive support for community-based hearing health services for children among female caregivers of Samoa. There was high awareness of otitis media as a major cause of childhood hearing loss, as well as good knowledge of public health measures that reduce/minimise the risk of otitis media.

Early onset of otitis media is a strong predictor of subsequent disease in urban Aboriginal infants: Djaalinj Waakinj cohort study.

Australian Aboriginal and/orTorresStraitIslanderchildren in rural/remote areas suffer high rates of persistent otitis media (OM) from early infancy. We aimed to determine the proportion of Aboriginal infants living in an urban area who have OM and investigate associated risk factors. Between 2017 and 2020, the Djaalinj Waakinj cohort study enrolled 125 Aboriginal infants at 0-12 weeks of age in the Perth South Metropolitan region, Western Australia. Proportion of children with OM based on tympanometry at ages 2, 6 and 12 months was evaluated, type B tympanogram indicating middle ear effusion. Potential risk factors were investigated by logistic regression with generalised estimating equations. The proportion of children with OM was 35% (29/83) at 2months, 49% (34/70) at 6months and 49% (33/68) at 12 months of age. About 70% (16/23) of those with OM at ages 2 and/or 6months had OM at 12 months compared with 20% (3/15) if no prior OM (relative risk=3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-40.1). On multivariate analysis, infants living in houses with ≥1 person/room were at increased risk of OM (odds ratio=1.78, 95% CI: 0.96-3.32). Approximately half of Aboriginal infants enrolled into the South Metropolitan Perth project have OM by the age of 6months and early onset of disease strongly predicts subsequent OM. Early surveillance for OM in urban areas is needed for early detection and management to reduce the risk of long-term hearing loss which can have serious developmental, social, behavioural, educational and economic consequences.

Evaluation of Temporal Bone Infections - Comparing Sensitivity of Multiplex Assay to Standard Bacterial Culture

Background: The multiplex assay is a nucleus acid/base assay that can detect a wide array of distinct nucleic acid sequences from different pathogens. This study hopes to show the necessity and utility of this technology in detecting pathogens that cause middle ear infections. Methods: This observational study was conducted from May 2021-July 2022 to assess the sensitivity of a multiplex assay in a microfluidics pouch in the detection of bacterial and viral pathogens in middle ear fluids. Standard bacterial culture was used as a control. Middle ear fluid was obtained from 98 pediatric patients undergoing tympanostomy to treat otitis media. The BioFire PNA panel was used, which detects bacterial, viral, drug resistance, and atypical bacterial nucleic acid targets. Patient demographics, past medical history, and otitis media risk factors were also recorded.&#x0D; Results: A total of 107 ear samples were assessed from 98 patients. The average age of study subjects was 3.53 ± 2.99 years. The population of this study was 61.22% male, 75.51% Caucasian, 22.44% African American, and 2.04% Other, 88.78% Non-Hispanic, 10.2% Hispanic, and 1.02% Unknown. We found that Haemophilus influenzae was she most common pathogen detected (multiplex; culture) - (34.58%; 14.02%), followed by Moraxella catarrhalis (10.28%; 4.67%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (6.54%; 2.80%), Staphylococcus aureus (1.5%; 5.61%), and Proteus spp. (.94%; 0%). All bacteria, except Staphylococcus aureus were identified in more ear specimens by multiplex testing than bacterial culture.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that multiplex testing is more sensitive than culture in identification of pathogens in middle ear fluid from patients undergoing tympanostomy for treatment of otitis media. The increased sensitivity for bacterial identification and simultaneous detection of viral targets in a very limited patient specimen make the multiplex assay a novel diagnostic tool which may be useful in the management of patients with otitis media in the future.

Evaluation of the Impact of Optical Coherence Tomography on Pediatrician Otologic Examination Judgment.

Accurate diagnosis of otitis media is imperative to judicious antibiotic prescription. Visualization of the tympanic membrane and accurate identification of middle ear effusion with standard otoscopy is inherently challenging in pediatrics, especially in the youngest children who are most at risk for otitis media. With the average diagnostic accuracy among primary care physicians of 50% and accurate identification of normal tympanic membrane versus acute otitis media versus otitis media with effusion ranging from 30% to 84% among pediatricians, there is great opportunity for diagnostic improvement and decreasing unnecessary antibiotic use. In a 96-pediatrician-blinded otoscopy diagnosis quiz, addition of optical coherence tomography, a novel depth-imaging technology, resulted in a 32% improvement in fluid identification, and 21% increase in diagnostic accuracy. This study suggests that the clinical use of this technology promises to improve diagnostic accuracy and antibiotic stewardship in pediatrics.

Audiologic Measures in an Indigenous Community with A2ML1- and FUT2-Related Otitis Media.

Background: Many indigenous peoples are at elevated risk for otitis media, however there is limited information on hearing loss due to OM in these communities. An Indigenous Filipino community that has previously been described with an elevated prevalence of OM that is due to rare A2ML1 variants and a common FUT2 variant underwent additional phenological testing. In this study, we describe the audiologic profiles in A2ML1- and FUT2-related otitis media and the validity of otoscopy and genotyping for A2ML1 and FUT2 variants in screening for otitis media and hearing loss. Method: We analyzed A2ML1 and FUT2 genotypes together with demographic, otologic and audiologic data from tympanometry and hearing level assessments of 109 indigenous individuals. Results: We confirmed previous findings of a spectrum of nonsyndromic otitis media as associated with A2ML1 variants. A2ML1 and FUT2 variants were associated with high-frequency hearing loss at 4000 Hz. As expected, young age was associated with flat tympanograms, and eardrum perforations due to chronic otitis media were associated with severe-to-profound hearing loss across frequencies. Adding A2ML1 or FUT2 genotypes improved the validity of otoscopy as a screening test to rule out moderate-to-profound hearing loss. Conclusion: Continued multi-disciplinary management and audiologic follow-up using tympanometry and screening audiometry are needed to document and treat otitis media and prevent permanent hearing loss in the indigenous community.

Association of e-Cigarette Exposure with Pediatric Otitis Media Recurrence.

Otitis media (OM) is a common inflammatory disease spectrum in children and a leading cause of pediatric physician visits, antibiotic prescriptions and surgery. Tobacco exposure is associated with increased risk of OM recurrence, chronicity and surgeries. Tobacco products have changed dramatically in recent years with the advent of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). While users frequently perceive vape as less harmful than traditional cigarettes, burgeoning evidence supports its contribution to respiratory pathologies. The consequences of secondhand exposure, particularly among children, are understudied. The aim of this study was to examine the association of e-cigarette emissions (EE) with OM recurrence and surgeries in the US. Questionnaire data regarding ear infections and tobacco exposure was gathered for all pediatric respondents of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017 to 2018. Weighted analyzes and logistic regression models were used to assess associations. Data was available for 2022 participants (aged 6-17); all were included for analyzes. Tobacco exposure was observed in 42%; 9% were exposed to EE. EE contributed to risk of ≥3 ear infections (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.01-2.58, P = .047). After adjustment for significant covariates (race and asthma), the association fell below significance (P = .081). No other significant associations were observed between ear infections, or tympanostomy tube insertion and exposure variables (EE, gestational or other household exposure). Exposure to EE may confer greater risk of pediatric OM than previously identified factors such as household smoke, or gestational exposure. Further investigation of EE and its health implications in children is warranted. IV.

The Relation Between Vitamin D Level with Acute Otitis Media and its Recurrence in Children, Aden, Yemen

Background: Acute otitis media are most common pediatric diseases. Lack of vitamin D is a risk of otitis media and its recurrences. Objective: To investigate the relation between vitamin D level and otitis media and its recurrences. Materials and method: This retrospective study conducted in Aden, between January 2019 and December 2020. Results: Eighty-five children with otitis media were studied and they were (51.8%) males and (48.2%) females. The mean age of patients was 5.6 ± 2.8 years. Most of the patients (56.5%) were between 1 to 5 years old. Fever represented (56.5%) in the age group 1 – 5 years old. The difference between values is statistically significance (p = 0.000). In the age group 1-5 years we found congested hyperamic tympanic membrane (43.5%) followed by the bulge tympanic membrane (9.4%). Highly significant differences found between otoscopic findings and the age groups (p = 0.000). Recurrent attack of acute otitis media seem to be higher in the age group 1 – 5 years old; (p = 0.041). Most (82.3%) of the patients had deficient vitamin D level followed by patients with insufficient vitamin D level (11.8%). The recurrent attacks in the deficient group represented with 3 times (30.5%) followed by 4 times (22.4%). Highly significant differences were found between recurrent attacks and level of vitamin D (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Our study showed relation between abnormal level of vitamin D and recurrent acute otitis media mostly in the age group from 1-5 years. Keywords: Relation, vitamin D, otitis media, children.