Ear Infections

The most-read Healio Pediatrics story of 2024 was a Q&A with Lisa L. Abuogi, MD, MSc, FAAP, who co-authored the AAP’s policy statement in support of breastfeeding for parents with HIV.

Physicians struggle to diagnose ear infections and often overprescribe antibiotics to children with acute otitis media, according to research published this year.

More than half of children with acute otitis media and 32% of children with upper respiratory infections tested positive for multiple pathogens in their nasal passages, according to a study presented at IDWeek.

Most providers are still prescribing 10-day courses of antibiotics for acute otitis media despite recommendations calling for shorter durations of treatment, according to study findings.

Amoxicillin remains effective against acute otitis media, according to the results of a small study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

A national shortage of amoxicillin led to an increase in the use of alternative agents to treat ear infections, according to a study published in Pediatrics.

A previously healthy and fully immunized 5-year-old male was seen in an urgent care clinic for an evaluation of a fever of 102.4°F and painful swelling behind his right ear.

Worldwide, most children encounter at least one episode of ear infection before reaching 7 years of age. In the United States, health care costs related to the condition may be as high as $5 billion annually, data in Molecules show.