OTITIS-MEDIA IN YOUNG-CHILDREN

Acute otitis media (AOM) in young children consumes a substantial amou nt of medical care services provided by primary-care physicians. A rec ent increase in the number of young children with AOM prompted a revie w of the associated risk factors, Eustachian tube dysfunction, bacteri al colonization, and host inflammatory response form the basis for the development of AOM, Signs and symptoms of AOM in young children are o ften nonspecific and subtle, particularly in infants. Physical examina tion and pneumatic otoscopy verify the diagnosis. New modalities inclu ding tympanometry and acoustic reflectometry may be helpful, Amoxicill in remains the drug of choice for AOM, despite recent trends in microb ial resistance. Second- and third-line antimicrobial agents might be c onsidered in selected clinical settings. Young children with recurrent episodes of otitis media must be monitored closely. Preventive measur es and medical or surgical intervention should be considered in order to minimize the long-term medical and developmental effects of AOM.