Exudative otitis media in a child

"Glue ear" in children most often occurs at the age of 3-7 years. The disease develops due to dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx.

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Epidemiology

One of the most common childhood diseases is otitis. About 50% of infants experience its serous form in the first year of life.

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Causes exudative otitis exudata in a child

The main causes of the disease include:

• Passive smoking.
• Various infectious diseases.
• Reduced protective properties of the immune system.
• Acute respiratory viral infections.
• Artificial feeding up to 6 months.
• Allergic rhinitis.
• Feeding a baby in a horizontal position.
• Enlarged adenoids.

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Symptoms exudative otitis exudata in a child

The pathological condition manifests itself in ear and ear pain of a shooting nature. Possible hearing loss, congestion, noise, increased body temperature. Ear discharge may also be observed against the background of general weakness, tearfulness, dizziness.

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Exudative otitis in infants

The disease develops due to the formation of mucus in the nasal cavity, frequent regurgitation and the inability to blow the nose normally. The Eustachian tubes in newborns are short and narrow, so fluid accumulates there well.

Severe pain in the middle ear is also accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Vestibular disorders.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Refusal to eat.
• Hearing impairment.
• Nasal congestion and redness.
• Subfebrile body temperature.
• Discharge from the ear.

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Complications and consequences

If exudative otitis in a child is left untreated, it leads to hearing impairment. In particularly severe cases, damage to the ear bones or auditory nerve with irreversible deafness is possible. Another possible complication is the further spread of infection with damage to the skull bones and brain tissue.

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Treatment exudative otitis exudata in a child

If the above symptoms appear, the child should be scheduled for an appointment with an otolaryngologist. If the child is restless, a vasoconstrictor is instilled into the nose. If necessary, antipyretic and pain-relieving drugs can be used.

Treatment of exudative otitis begins with eliminating the causes of the disease. Further measures are aimed at restoring the Eustachian tube and hearing. For this, the child is prescribed a course of physiotherapy procedures and drug treatment.