RESUMO
To determine the frequency of secretary otitis media [OME] in the region of twin city and to determine variations related to gender, environment and socioeconomic status. This comparative cross sectional study was carried out for one year from July 2010 to July 2011 at Social Security Hospital, Islamabad and at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and included 600 children [3-5 years] from schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Schools were divided into three socioeconomic groups, 200 children in each group. Written permission and history of clinical features was taken from parents, two days before visit. Complete examination was done by ENT consultant and Pediatrician. OME was diagnosed clinically and confirmed with tympanometry. Chi- square test was used for analysis. Mean age was 4 years. 73 children were bottle fed. Two children had cleft lip and palate repair. 49 were mouth breather, rhinitis was in 203 children. 18 were with delayed speech and hearing loss and acute upper respiratory tract infection [AURTI] in 63 children. 11 cases were excluded from study due to perforation in tympanic membrane. Tympanometry confirmed OME with type B curve in 69 [11.5%] and with hearing loss of 35-40 dB [mean 37.5dB]. Frequency of OME was 11.5%. OME is a common disease may result in serious morbidity in the form of delayed speech development and poor performance at school due to hearing loss in 3-5 years age group