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Otitis Media, Pediatric

Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Otitis media is a general term for middle ear inflammation with or without symptoms. It can be acute or chronic. 
  • Two specific diagnoses

    • Otitis media with effusion, middle ear effusion...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Recent abrupt onset of signs and symptoms of middle ear inflammation and MEE

  • Ear pain for <48 hours

  • New-onset otorrhea not caused by acute otitis externa

  • Fever

  • Irritability

  • Past medical...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Do not use prophylactic antibiotics to reduce frequency of episodes of AOM in children with recurrent AOM.

  • AOM management should include pain evaluation and treatment.

  • Adjuncti...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Expect symptomatic improvement within 48 to 72 hours of treatment; may need to switch antibiotic and/or evaluate for complications

  • Follow-up exam should be schedul...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Coker TR, Chan LS, Newberry SJ, et al. Diagnosis, microbial epidemiology, and antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a systematic review. JAMA.  2010;304(19):2...

CODES

ICD9

  • 382.9 Unspecified otitis media

  • 381.00 Acute nonsuppurative otitis media, unspecified

  • 381.3 Other and unspecified chronic nonsuppurative otitis media

  • 381.4 Nonsuppurative otitis media, not speci...

FAQ

  • Q: When should children with AOM be treated?

  • A: Antibiotic therapy for AOM in children ≥6 months of age with severe signs or symptoms; antibiotic therapy for bilateral AOM in children 6 to 23 month...

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