Treatment of acute otitis media in children

Abstract

Introduction: Acute otitis media is a disease with high prevalence worldwide mainly in pediatric patients, due to risk factors specific to that age group, such as anatomical and environmental conditions. The most frequent germs are the viruses, Pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Objective: To deepen our knowledge of otitis media in children and to update its clinical treatment.

Methods: A bibliographic research on the subject was carried out. The specialized bibliography was reviewed using internet sources and classic texts of the specialty. MEDLINE, PubMed and SciELO databases were consulted.

Analysis and synthesis of the information: The definitive diagnosis of acute otitis media is clinical and it is based on the sudden onset of the disease, signs and symptoms of otitis media, and fluid in the middle ear. The most accurate method to evaluate the integrity of the tympanic membrane is simple otoscopy, although the pneumatic variant is most effective at establishing the compromise in the mobility of the tympanic membrane.

Conclusions: When choosing the appropriate treatment for acute otitis media, various factors must be considered, including age of the patient, clinical stage, whether there are previous treatments and time of evolution.