Otitis Media
Head, neck infection rates among children doubled in 2 years
The prevalence of serious head and neck infections among children doubled from 2021 to 2023, according to findings published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Most children receive too many antibiotics for ear infections, study finds
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.
Ear tubes may be unnecessary in some cases, study finds
Guidelines for ear infections in young children may lead to unnecessary tympanostomy tube placement, according to a study published in Pediatrics.
FDA will review Pfizer’s 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine for children, infants
The FDA has accepted for priority review a supplemental biologics license application for Pfizer’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for use in infants and children aged 6 weeks to 17 years, Pfizer announced.
Shorter antibiotic durations are better for some pediatric infections
Most patients when filling an antibiotic prescription are counseled to “take all of the antibiotic to complete the course, even if you feel better.”
Tympanostomy tubes not superior to medical management for recurrent acute otitis media
Tympanostomy tubes were not superior to medical management in reducing the rate of episodes of acute otitis media over a 2-year period in infants and toddlers, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Office-based tympanostomy tube placement: A safe and efficient alternative
Tympanostomy tubes are commonly placed to treat chronic otitis media with effusion and recurrent acute otitis media.
Forthcoming tool uses AI to help diagnose ear infections
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.
Stewardship in the pediatrician’s office: Diagnostic certainty in acute otitis media
Diagnoses of acute otitis media or suppurative middle ear infection relies chiefly on examination findings of the tympanic membrane. In 2013, the AAP revised its initial 2004 guidelines to include stringent diagnostic criteria and emphasized the need for accurate diagnosis of AOM and otitis media with effusion.
Stewardship in the pediatrician’s office: It’s about time to get antibiotic smart
Antibiotics treat common childhood infections such as streptococcal pharyngitis and otitis media. Additionally, antibiotics treat serious infections such as sepsis. However, 30% of the antibiotics prescribed in an outpatient setting are inappropriate, according to the CDC. This issue not only predisposes children to the risk for detrimental side effects (allergic reactions, Clostridioides difficle infection, etc.), but it is also is responsible for an inimical rise in antibiotic resistance in our communities.