Ear Infections - Highlights

Highlights

Prevention

Breastfeeding can help protect babies against ear infections and other respiratory illnesses, according to a 2006 study published in Pediatrics. The study compared babies who received only breast milk during the first 6 months of life with babies who were breastfed for less than 6 months. Babies who were breastfed less were nearly twice as likely to have recurrent ear infections by the time they were 2 years old, and they were 4 times more likely to develop pneumonia than babies who received a full 6 months of breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be fed only breast milk for their first 6 months.

Drug Treatment

• Amoxicillin use in infancy may later cause enamel defects in permanent teeth, according to a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The defects included pits, white flecks, and brown stains.
• Decongestants and antihistamines do not help acute otitis media (AOM), and can cause side effects, according to a Cochrane review of clinical trials.

Tube Insertion Surgery (Tympanostomy)

Experts continue to recommend delaying tube insertion for children younger than age 3 who have uncomplicated middle ear effusion (MEE). A 2005 study found that prompt insertion of tympanostomy tubes in children under age 3 did not help improve developmental outcomes by the time they were 6 years old. These outcomes included speech, language, behavior, and learning skills.

Adenoid Removal Surgery (Adenoidectomy)

Removing adenoids will not help prevent ear infections in children younger than age 4, according to a study in Pediatrics. The study compared children who received tube insertion surgery alone with those who received tube insertion plus adenoid removal. There were no significant differences between the groups for ear infection episodes. The study included children who had either recurrent AOM or chronic MEE.

Review Date: 03/02/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital