The epidemiology of recurrent otitis media

Abstract

Nearly one-half of 165 children with episodes of acute otitis media had at least one recurrent acute episode within the year. Males had significantly more recurrences. Most (60%) of the recurrent episodes occurred within four months of the index episode. Hearing loss persisted beyond two weeks in 8% of testable children. This experience suggests that prophylactic antibiotic use within the first few months after an episode of acute otitis media in young children should be evaluated.