RISK-FACTORS FOR OTITIS-MEDIA WITH EFFUSION IN CHILDREN 0 TO 2 YEARS OF AGE

Purpose: To determine the possible risk factors associated with the oc currence of otitis media with effusion. Patients and Methods: Two hund red eighty-nine children born between July 1987 and October 1988 were studied up to the age of 24 months. The enrollment of the children too k place during their regular check-up visits at three different health -care centers. Results: Having older siblings was the most important r isk factor, for both the time elapsed until the first occurrence and f or the probability of otitis media with effusion at each visit. Other significant risk factors for the probability at each visit were: havin g had acute otitis media before the visit or before the previous visit , age, a positive family history of otitis media, and upper respirator y tract infections (URTI). Conclusion: Having older siblings is the mo st important risk factor for otitis media with effusion in this age gr oup. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.