Most toddlers and preschoolers will be diagnosed with fluid in their middle ears--or otitis media with effusion (OME)--at some time before school age. A new practice guideline from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery outlines the best way for pediatricians and other healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat OME.
More than 2 million cases of OME are diagnosed in the United State every year - at an estimated cost of 4 billion dollars to the healthcare system. OME is different from acute otitis media (AOM). OME is fluid-only, while AOM includes intense signs and symptoms of infection and inflammation. OME can happen spontaneously, or as a result of AOM. Usually OME will clear up on its own without treatment. But OME can affect hearing, and lead to speech, language and/or learning delays if it persists.
The guidelines emphasize appropriate diagnosis, and provide management options including observation, medical intervention and referral for surgery: