Authors' objectives:

The objective of this report is to analyze the evidence on the initial management of uncomplicated acute otitis media (AOM) in children.

Authors' recommendations: There is a wide range of reported clinical failure rates in the first week in children with AOM who are not treated with antibiotics. The pooled estimates indicate that a majority of these children have clinical resolution within the first week after presentation. These studies, which generally are of small sample size, report few episodes of suppurative complications, regardless of antibiotic treatment. In general, the children in the natural history studies had close followup. Antibiotic treatment with ampicillin or amoxicillin produces a statistically significant improvement in failure rates compared with no antibiotic treatment of AOM. No difference was found in clinical failure rates in the antibiotic regimens assessed. Several studies suggest that greater caution be taken with children younger than 2 years old.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/otitisum.htm

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Contact Address: Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;

Contact Name: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Contact Email: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Copyright: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)