JAMA PATIENT PAGE The Journal of the American Medical Association

EAR INFECTION
Does your child have an ear infection?
ext to the common cold, otitis A study in the December 8, 1999,

N media (middle ear infection) is

the most common illness in
children. Most children will get otitis
issue of JAMA studied a total of 168 sets
of healthy twins and triplets to
determine if family genes play a role in
RISK FACTORS:
The following factors may increase the
risks of getting middle ear infection or
media by the time they are 3 years old, the duration and the recurrence of
middle ear effusion:
and many will have recurrent episodes. episodes of middle ear infection in • Bottle-feeding rather than breast-
Recognizing the symptoms and young children. The researchers found feeding infants
detecting ear infections early are that heredity appears to play a large role • Exposure to secondhand smoke
important to ensure that the condition in middle ear effusion (fluid • Attending a group child-care facility
does not lead to more serious collecting in the middle ear), another
complications, such as hearing loss or type of ear problem. TREATMENT:
other damage.
For an active middle ear infection, many
physicians recommend taking an
Outer ear WHAT IS OTITIS MEDIA?
antibiotic for 5 to 10 days. If a child is
Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear. experiencing pain, the doctor may also
The inflammation usually begins when a viral or bacterial recommend a pain reliever. Studies have
infection that causes sore throats, colds, or other respiratory shown that taking antibiotics can
or breathing problems spreads to the middle ear. Three in increase the rate of recovery, but
4 children experience at least 1 episode of otitis media antibiotics may not be necessary in every
before they are 3 years old, and almost half case. Once the infection clears, fluid
of these children have 3 or may still remain in the middle ear for
more episodes before they several weeks to months but usually
Inner ear are age 3. If a child disappears on its own.
develops fluid persistently
in the middle ear, it can
reduce a child’s FOR MORE INFORMATION:
hearing at a time
• National Institute on Deafness and
that is crucial for
Other Communication Disorders
speech and
National Institutes of Health
language
Ear canal 31 Center Drive, MSC 2320
development.
Bethesda, MD 20892-2320
or www.nih.gov/nidcd
• Agency for Health Care Policy and
Research
Temporal 800/358-9295
bone Eardrum Source: The Human
Body: An Illustrated 888/586-6340 (TTY)
Guide to Its or www.ahcpr.gov
SECRETIONS IN
MIDDLE EAR Eustachian tube
Structure, Function, • American Academy of Pediatrics
and Disorders (D K Ear Infections and Children
Publishing, 1995)
www.aap.org
SIGNS OF EAR INFECTION IN CHILDREN:
• Unusual irritability • Fluid draining from the ear
INFORM YOURSELF:
• Difficulty sleeping • Unresponsiveness to quiet sounds
• Tugging or pulling at 1 or other signs of hearing difficulty, To find this and previous JAMA Patient
Ear lobe or both ears such as sitting too close to the Pages, check out the AMA’s Web site at
• Fever television or being inattentive www.ama-assn.org/consumer.htm.

Additional Sources: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, National Institute on Deafness and
Other Communication Disorders
Mi Young Hwang, Writer The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA and the AMA. The information and recommendations appearing
on this page are appropriate in most instances; but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA and the AMA suggest that you consult your
Jeff Molter, Director of Science News physician. This page may be reproduced noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share
with patients. Any other reproduction is subject to AMA approval. To purchase bulk reprints, call 212/354-0050.

2186 JAMA, December 8, 1999—Vol 282, No. 22