THE USE OF ACOUSTIC REFLECTOMETRY IN THE STUDY OF MIDDLE-EAR EFFUSIONIN CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM ACUTE OTITIS-MEDIA, UPPER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTION AND IN HEALTHY-CHILDREN

This report focuses on the occurrence of middle ear effusion in childr en with acute otitis media (n = 62), upper respiratory tract infection (n = 81) as well as in healthy control children (n = 152). Data are r eported in age categories 0-4 and 5-13 years. Middle ear effusion was found in 86% of children with acute otitis media, 49% of children with upper respiratory infection and 13% of healthy children. The younger the child, the more likely the presence of middle ear effusion in all groups. Acute otitis media and upper respiratory tract infection were clinically indistinguishable in infants. Conclusion Middle ear effusio n is not generally a particularly significant clinical problem in chil dren.