Prevalence rates of otitis media with effusion from 0 to 2 years of age: healthy-born versus high-risk-born infants

In a prospective-longitudinal study, prevalence rates of otitis media with effusion (OME) were analysed in 150 healthy-born and 100 high-risk-born inf ants, aged 0-2 years. In order to determine OME, otoscopy and tympanometry were performed at 3-monthly intervals beginning at term date. The Maastrich t Otitis Media with Effusion Study (MOMES) algorithm was used to standardiz e the diagnosis. The distribution of relevant background characteristics wa s similar in both groups except for gestational age and birth weight, which were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the high-risk-born group. The rati o of unilateral:bilateral OME was 2:3. Prevalence rates of OME were strongl y associated with age (P < 0.001). During the first months of life, OME pre valence rates increased rapidly in both groups, but did not differ signific antly. However, from the age of 6 months on, OME prevalence rates of the hi gh-risk group became significantly higher compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). The peak prevalence of OME (59% in the high-risk group versus 49% in the normal group) was observed around the age of 10 months. Although gr adually decreasing prevalence rates were noted in both groups with aging, t he differences between high-risk and normal infants remained, at least up t o 24 months. In conclusion, OME is a very prevalent, age-dependent disorder during infancy, especially in high-risk infants. Peak prevalence of OME wa s found in the second half of the first year of life. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.