A middle ear infection is an inflammation of the space behind the eardrum. Most children have at least one episode of otitis before the age of three, because in children the Eustachian tube that connects the nose to the ear is short and horizontal, allowing germs to reach the middle ear easily. Otitis usually develops following a common cold.

Symptoms

  • Ear pain; in a baby who cannot yet speak, this appears as tugging at the ear, irritability, and waking up crying at night
  • Fever
  • Refusing to nurse or feed (swallowing increases the pain)
  • A sense of reduced hearing; discharge from the ear if the eardrum perforates

Treatment

Not every case of otitis requires antibiotics right away. In mild cases, a 48–72 hour period of watchful waiting with pain relief under a physician's supervision may be appropriate; antibiotics are started in young babies and in bilateral or severe cases. Completing the full course of treatment and attending a follow-up examination are important to confirm that no fluid remains in the middle ear.

Recurrent Otitis and Fluid in the Ear

In children who have frequent episodes of otitis or who retain fluid in the ear for a long time, hearing and speech development may be affected. In these children, allergic rhinitis and enlarged adenoids are evaluated, and they are monitored in collaboration with an ENT specialist if necessary.

Prevention

Breast milk, a smoke-free home, not feeding the baby from a bottle while lying down, and pneumococcal and flu vaccines all reduce the frequency of otitis.

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Related articles: Ear pain in children · Common cold

This article is for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment. For any concerns about your child's health, always consult a specialist in pediatrics.

Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş — Specialist in Pediatrics, Gaziantep