Effective Diagnosis, Treatment of Ear Infections in Children Examined in Study

Among the findings of an analysis of previous studies regarding ear infections in children are that results from otoscopic exams (an instrument for examining the interior of the ear) are critical to accurate diagnosis and antibiotics are modestly more effective than no treatment, with most antibiotics demonstrating similar rates of clinical success among children at normal risk, according to an article in the November 17 issue of JAMA.

Acute otitis media (AOM; middle ear infection) is the most common childhood infection for which antibiotics are prescribed in the United States. A study using 2006 data indicated an average expenditure of $350 per child with AOM, totaling $2.8 billion. “Timely and accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of AOM may have significant consequences for ambulatory health care utilization and expenditures,” the authors write. “… however, wide variation exists in diagnosis and treatment.”

To examine recent trial results and changes in clinician practice, Tumaini R. Coker, M.D., M.B.A., of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, and RAND, Santa Monica, Calif., and colleagues conducted a systematic review of relevant studies to support the new AOM practice guidelines (currently in preparation) from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The researchers examined the evidence for the precision and accuracy of AOM diagnosis; the association of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) use with changes in AOM microbial epidemiology; and the decision about whether to treat with antibiotics, including the comparative effectiveness of different antibiotics and associated antibiotic-related adverse events. The authors identified 135 studies for inclusion in the review and analyzed those in which 3 or more articles examined the same comparison.

The researchers found that otoscopic findings of tympanic membrane bulging and redness were associated with accurate diagnosis. “Perhaps the most important way to improve diagnosis is to increase clinicians' ability to recognize and rely on key otoscopic findings,” they write.

The authors also found that in the few available studies, prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae decreased (e.g., 33-48 percent vs. 23-31 percent of AOM isolates), while that of Haemophilus influenzae increased (41-43 percent vs. 56-57 percent) pre- vs. post-PCV7. Short-term clinical success was higher for immediate use of ampicillin or amoxicillin vs. placebo (73 percent vs. 60 percent), while increasing the rate of rash or diarrhea by 3 percent to 5 percent. Two of 4 studies showed greater clinical success for immediate vs. delayed antibiotics (95 percent vs. 80 percent and 86 percent vs. 70 percent).

“Of 100 average-risk children with AOM, approximately 80 would likely get better within about 3 days without antibiotics. If all were treated with immediate ampicillin/amoxicillin, an additional 12 would likely improve, but 3 to 10 children would develop rash and 5 to 10 would develop diarrhea. Clinicians need to weigh these risks (including possible long-term effects on antibiotic resistance) and benefits before prescribing immediate antibiotics for uncomplicated AOM,” they write.