Middle ear infection in children Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2008.
Answers to questions about middle ear infection in children
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- How likely is my child's middle ear infection to re-occur?
- Is there anything else I can do to reduce the chance of my baby getting middle ear infections?
- How can a dummy increase my baby's risk of getting middle ear infection?
How likely is my child's middle ear infection to re-occur?
Ear infection is more likely to re-occur in children who get it at a very young age.
Explanation
The individual risk that your child's ear infection will re-occur can't be predicted, as every child will respond differently when they have an ear infection.
However, it's known that the younger a child is when they get an acute ear infection, the more likely it is to re-occur. Studies have shown that more than half of children who have their first bout of middle ear infection before the age of six months will have two or more recurrences in the next two years.
Younger children with acute ear infection are also more likely to develop glue ear, and in those who do get glue ear, it's more likely to be persistent (take longer to clear).
Other factors that may put your child at increased risk of getting a recurrent middle ear infection include having his/her first infection during the winter, being male, being around smoke, and having persistent symptoms for more than 10 days.
Sources
- Guideline for the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Alberta Medical Association, 2008
- Otitis media. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 1 September 2008
Is there anything else I can do to reduce the chance of my baby getting middle ear infections?
Yes, breastfeeding your baby may help to reduce his/her chance of getting middle ear infections.
Explanation
Several studies have shown that babies who are breastfed may have a reduced risk of getting middle ear infections than babies who aren't breastfed. There is thought to be some benefit even if you breastfeed for just three months, and breastfeeding for six months or more means your baby has an even lower chance of getting an infection.
Unlike formula milk, a mother's breast milk contains many vital nutrients and antibodies, which help the baby to fight infection. Breastfeeding also helps to reduce your baby's chance of getting a number of other infections and conditions, as well as having many benefits for the mother. See related topics for more information.
Sources
- Hoddinott P, Tappin D, Wright C. Breast feeding. BMJ 2008; 336:881-887
- Benefits of breastfeeding. Department of Health. www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk, accessed 1 September 2008
How can a dummy increase my baby's risk of getting middle ear infection?
It isn't exactly clear how dummies lead to infection of the middle ear. However, it's thought they may affect the flow of secretions from your baby's nose and upper throat to his/her middle ear.
Explanation
Middle ear infections develop when bacteria or viruses travel up from the throat into the middle ear. As sucking a dummy increases the flow of secretions from your baby's throat to his/her middle ear, one way in which a dummy may cause infection is by allowing bacteria and viruses to enter the middle ear more easily.
Using a dummy can also affect your baby's dental structure and, as a result, affect the function of his or her Eustachian tube (the tube that connects the upper throat to the middle ear).
The main risk in using a dummy is thought to relate to recurrent middle ear infection - using a dummy in a child who has already had an infection is thought to increase the risk of his or her infection coming back. So the best advice is probably to stop giving your child a dummy, if he or she has already had an ear infection.
Sources
- Rovers MM, Numans ME, Langenbach E, et al. Is pacifier use a risk factor for acute otitis media? Family Practice 2008; 25(4):233-236
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr W H Simpson, MBBS, General Practitioner, and by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: December 2008
Middle ear infection in children factsheet
Visit the middle ear infection in children health factsheet for more information.
Rate this page
