REVISITING ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY IN ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

A middle ear infection is referred to as acute otitis media (AOM).’[1] It is the second most common cause of visit to family physician among the pediatric population, following upper respiratory infections. OM has caused a significant burden on the health system, the economy, and the patient’s quality of Life. The overall incidence of complications due to OM is extremely low, infratemporal and intracranial complications occur in one in 100,000 children yearly. Routine initial administration of antibiotics should be avoided, as most children experience spontaneous resolution in one to two weeks. Oral antibiotics are indicated to treat OM with bacterial etiology: high-dose amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulonic acid is the first choice of antibiotics in children who are not allergic to penicillin. Most efficacy studies have set the duration as 7-10 days. Longer duration is needed for a child less than 6 months with severe disease.