Common Health Problems That Develop During Infancy

KAYCELYN A. JIMENEZ
BSN II- SECTION 6-B
INFANCY
M i d d l e E a r I n f e c t i o n

Ear Problems
 Acute otitis media
Otitis media is the medical name for middle
ear infections, which are very common in
young children.
Acute Otitis Media is an infection of recent
onset, and is associated with a build-up of
fluid in the middle ear. Symptoms of acute
otitis media usually include earache and
fever.
Otitis media with effusion, also known as „glue
ear‟, describes fluid that remains in the middle
ear after the infection has gone. It is usually not
painful but can affect children‟s hearing.
Sometimes antibiotics are also needed.
Children who develop glue ear and other
complications may need additional
treatments.
Most children with acute otitis media will
complain of ear pain. Other symptoms
may include:

1. irritability and crying in young

children who are unable to tell you
that they have a sore ear;
2. tiredness;
3. disrupted sleep;
4. fever;
5. reduced appetite; and
6. vomiting.
Because many cases of otitis media are
caused by a viral infection, there are often
other symptoms associated with the infection,
such as a sore throat, runny nose or a cough.

BABY PROBLEMS
Middle ear infections can be caused
by viruses or bacteria.

Most children who develop a middle

ear infection have a viral infection
(such as a cold), which causes
inflammation and swelling in the nasal
passages and eustachian tube.

Sample of
OTITIS MEDIA
 The eustachian tube
connects the middle ear to the
back of the throat, and if it
becomes blocked, fluid can
build up in the middle ear. A
middle ear infection (acute otitis
media) can happen when the
fluid becomes infected.

Otitis media is more

common in children attending
day care or living with brothers
or sisters because they are
exposed to more cold viruses.
The risk is also increased in
children exposed to tobacco
smoke in the home.
• attend group childcare;
• are exposed to cigarette or wood fire smoke at home;
• have hay fever; or
• have enlarged adenoids (areas of lymphoid tissue at
the back of the nose that can block the eustachian
tube when swollen).

Acute otitis media occurs

most often in children aged
between 6 and 18 months, but
is common up until 4 years of
age.
 When the term “ear infection” is
used it usually refers to acute otitis media.
AOM is characterized by the rapid onset
and relatively short duration. AOM is
generally viral in nature but can also be
bacterial (acute bacterial otitis media).
 SOM typically follows an
episode of AOM. The buildup of fluid
that is secreted from the inflamed
mucous membrane can be
temporary with no signs of infection.
Serous otitis media is a common
childhood condition that is often
known as “glue ear”.

NOTE effusion on otoscopy by fluid

line and air bubbles.
 Occasionally serous otitis
media can become chronic
(present for 6 weeks or longer).
Although there is no infection
present, the fluid remains in the
middle ear for prolonged period of
time or returns repeatedly. The
longer the fluid remains in the middle
ear the more viscous the fluid
becomes.
The impact of otitis media or “glue ear” on a
child can be underestimated because
parents are often unaware that their child is
suffering from it. Fluid buildup in the middle
ear blocks sound which can result in a
temporary hearing loss. A child with “glue
ear” may not respond to soft sounds, like to
turn up the television or radio, may talk loud,
and appear to be distracted or inattentive.
Often glue ear has no symptoms and if
present for long enough can have a
negative effect on a child‟s language
development and schooling.
Several studies have found that limiting
exposure to other sick children and
cigarette smoke, frequent washing of
hands, avoiding bottle feeding while
lying down, diet and allergies can
have an impact on the incidence of
otitis media in children.
In many cases the incidence of acute
otitis media will resolve on its own
accord within three to four days with
the help of prescribed ear drops, over
the counter decongestants and
analgesics. To prevent acute otitis
media from becoming chronic as well
as serious complications, antibiotics are
sometimes required. Following a
suitable course of antibiotics, otitis
media normally clears up after two to
three weeks.
REFERENCES
• Otitis Media: Types, Symptoms & Treatment . (2020). Hear-the-world.com. Retrieved 20 May
2020, from https://www.hear-the-world.com/en/knowledge/hearing-loss/otitis-media
• default - Stanford Children's Health. (2020). Stanfordchildrens.org. Retrieved 20 May 2020, from
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=otitis-media-middle-ear-infection-90-P02057
• The Most Common Health Problems for Newborns and Infants - Kids' Health. (2019). Kids' Health.
Retrieved 20 May 2020, from https://kidshealthllc.com/the-most-common-health-problems-for-
newborns-and-infants/
• staff, f. (2017). Ear Infection - familydoctor.org. familydoctor.org. Retrieved 20 May 2020, from
https://familydoctor.org/condition/ear-infection/?adfree=true
• Otitis media in children - myDr.com.au. (2019). myDr.com.au. Retrieved 20 May 2020, from
https://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/otitis-media-in-children
• Ear Infection (Otitis Media): Symptoms, Causes, Prevention & Treatment. (2020). Cleveland Clinic.
Retrieved 20 May 2020, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8613-ear-infection-otitis-
media
• UpToDate. (2020). Uptodate.com. Retrieved 20 May 2020, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ear-
infections-otitis-media-in-children-beyond-the-basics/print