Treatment of acute otitis media in children

Children's physical health is an issue that parents are concerned about. Since children's physical resistance is not as strong as adults, they are prone to various diseases. Parents should take good care of their children in daily life. Acute otitis media in children is a common ear disease. So what methods can we use to treat acute otitis media in children? Let's take a look at the introduction below.

Acute otitis media (AOM) in children is an acute inflammation of the middle ear mucosa. It is an infection of the middle ear that occurs suddenly within 48 hours. The vast majority (more than 80%) are related to bacterial infections (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis), and a few are viral infections (5-10%). After antibiotic treatment, it can turn into secretory otitis media. Preventive measures for this disease include feeding in the arms within 6 months; avoiding supine bottle feeding; avoiding the use of sedatives and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke from 6 to 12 months.

Early administration of adequate antibiotics

Observation strategy (mild ear pain, temperature below 39 degrees in the past 24 hours) postpone the use of antibiotics for 2-3 days; severe illness refers to moderate to severe ear pain and fever above 39°C, and antibiotics should be used early. Antibiotics: Amoxicillin 80-90 mg/kg.d is the first choice; in severe cases, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium 90 mg/kg.d should be used; azithromycin (10 mg/kg on the first day, 5 mg/kg for the remaining 4 days) or clarithromycin (15 mg/kg.d, divided into 2 doses); clindamycin (30-40 mg/kg.d, divided into 3 doses) can be used for penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae; ceftriaxone (50 mg/kg) is used for infusion.

Tympanic membrane puncture

If symptoms persist, tympanic membrane puncture and bacterial culture are required.

Myringotomy

Since the tympanic membrane is not easily perforated in children, timely myringotomy is very important to shorten the course of the disease and prevent complications.

Mastoidectomy

If symptoms do not improve after general treatment, the mastoid air cells have fused, and puff is accumulated, surgery should be performed promptly.

Treatment duration

10 days, 5-7 days for children over 6 years old, treatment of middle ear effusion requires continuous observation for 3 months.

In the above article, we introduced what acute otitis media in children is. We know that the occurrence of acute otitis media in children can easily affect children's health. The above article introduces in detail several treatment methods for acute otitis media in children.