The Point Prevalence of Otitis Media with Effusion among Kindergarten and Elementary School Children in Ansan Area / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is most commonly found during the first two years of life, and becomes somewhat less prevalent thereafter. There are many reports about the prevalence rate of OME in preschool children, but there has been no large scale survey of its prevalence rate in school-age children. The point prevalence of OME among children of the above age in Ansan city were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tympanometry and pneumatic otoscopic examination were performed on 2713 children aged 6-12 years, during the spring season of 1998. RESULTS: A total of 4.5% of the subjects had unilateral or bilateral OME. The prevalence rate of OME in 6 year-old children was 10.8%. The prevalence rate in 12 year-old children was decreased to 2.1%. The incidence of OME in girls was higher than in boys. Bilateral involvement was noted in 38.3%, and the remainder had unilateral involvement. The majority of the cases (88.5%) were free of subjective symptoms. CONCLUSION: More attention should be required to OME in children aged 9 years and younger because of its high prevalence.