Prevalence of Silent Otitis Media with effusion in Preschool Children in Kunsan city

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion(OME) is a very common disease in pediatric age. However, a few literatures on epidemiologic study of otitis media with effusion are available in Korea due to the great variability of its diagnostic criteria and clinical features. The aim of this study is to provide the estimate of silent otitis media prevalence for preschool age. METHODS: The study population includes 329 children enrolled in 6 kindergartens in Kunsan city from April 1 to 10, 1995. Silent otitis media was diagnosed with otoscopy, pneumatic otoscopy and impedance audiometry by DANAC 40 model impedance audiometer from DANA JAPAN Co. RESULTS: The prevalence of silent otitis media with effusion was 14.5% and peak at 6 years of age(17.8%).The prevalence of silent otitis media with effusion according to sex were 11.8% in boys group, 17.9% in girls group. Nine cases(11.8%) involved bilaterally. Forty three cases(89.6 %) were asymptomatic cases. CONCLUSIONS: Among 329 preschool children, the prevalence of silent otitis media with effusion was 14.5%. The prevalence by sex showed slightly higher in girls group than boys group. OME involved unilateral site mostly and subjective symptoms were rare.