Chronic suppurative otitis media and immunocompromised status in paediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: The role of immunodeficiency in the development of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), especially in paediatric populations, have yet to be fully elucidated. The purposesof this study is to investigate the association between immunocompromised status and CSOM among paediatric population in a tertiary hospital in Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed by retrieving medical records of paediatric patients, with and without CSOM (age 0-18 years), visiting otorhinolaryngology (ENT-HNS) outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital in Indonesia (2018-2020). We collected data on comorbidities causing immunosuppression such as HIV status, tuberculosis, and cancer. RESULTS: Among the 1018 included patients (50 immunocompromised children), HIV infection was the most common cause of immunodeficiency in the CSOM group (24 patients, 60%), and cancer in the non-CSOM group (10 patients, 100%). We found a significant association between immunocompromised hosts and CSOM (odds ratio 19.5 [95% confidence interval: 9.5-39.9], p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Immunocompromised children with HIV, tuberculosis, or cancer may be more vulnerable to CSOM. Further research is required to explore the association between other immunocompromised conditions and CSOM in paediatric populations.

The effects of Goldenhar Syndrome on hearing and speech development.

Goldenhar syndrome is a congenital abnormality with an incidence of 1 in 5,200 to 26,500 births. This syndrome is characterized by facial asymmetry, ear malformation, and/or defects in the eyes and vertebrae. The hearing disorder manifests as both conductive or sensorineural due to the abnormalities occurring in the inner and outer ear. We report a case of a 1-year-3-month-old child presenting with left anotia and right microtia, severe bilateral conductive hearing loss, and global delayed development. The patient was also found to have a hemifacial microsomia, a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), and a ventricular septal defect (VSD). The patient was advised to use hearing aids and participate in speech therapy. The management of this Goldenhar syndrome patient should be done comprehensively, appropriate to the abnormalities found to achieve the best result.