Otitis Media in Young Children

- This clinical review discusses the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media (AOM) in children under two years old. It explores the high prevalence of AOM following viral upper respiratory tract infections and identifies key bacterial pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Diagnosis relies heavily on the presence of a bulging tympanic membrane observed via otoscopy. Treatment strategies are guided by patient age, symptom severity, and pathogen likelihood. High-dose amoxicillin remains the first-line therapy, while amoxicillin-clavulanate is recommended for children at increased risk of H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis infection. Observational management is reasonable for non-severe cases. The article reviews data on treatment duration, recurrence prevention, and tympanostomy tubes, and calls for improved patient-centered terminology and decision tools.

- This clinical review discusses the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media (AOM) in children under two years old. It explores the high prevalence of AOM following viral upper respiratory tract infections and identifies key bacterial pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Diagnosis relies heavily on the presence of a bulging tympanic membrane observed via otoscopy. Treatment strategies are guided by patient age, symptom severity, and pathogen likelihood. High-dose amoxicillin remains the first-line therapy, while amoxicillin-clavulanate is recommended for children at increased risk of H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis infection. Observational management is reasonable for non-severe cases. The article reviews data on treatment duration, recurrence prevention, and tympanostomy tubes, and calls for improved patient-centered terminology and decision tools.