Original Research

Otitis Media in High-Risk Infants

B. Louw, S.R. Hugo, A. Kritzinger, L. Pottas
South African Family Practice | Vol 25, No 1 | a2079 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v25i1.2079 | ©
Submitted: 21 October 2011 | Published: 30 January 2002

About the author(s)

B. Louw, Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
S.R. Hugo, Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
A. Kritzinger, Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
L. Pottas, Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Abstract

Background: Delayed communication development is the most common symptom of developmental disability in children under three. Recurrent otitis media is an important contributing factor to a developmental communication delay. Young children under the age of three years who have a communication delay due to biological risk factors, for example prematurity or established risk factors such as Down Syndrome, may be further at risk for developmental delays as a result of recurrent otitis media.

Methods: A retrospective study analysed the results obtained from individual hearing assessments conducted on 67 high-risk infants and toddlers ranging from 4 weeks to 37 months in age, over a 20-month period.

Results: 69,6% of the subjects experienced otitis media at the time of testing, while the condition was undetected by 70,1% of the parents, even though 56,7% of the subjects had a history of otitis media.

Conclusions: Otitis media and its' far reaching sequelae can be treated effectively and preventatively in all young children, using a team approach. A series of activities are outlined to illustrate how this goal can be reached.


Keywords

otitis media high risk infant; teamwork

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