Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are more prone to Otitis media with effusion (OME). We set out to determine the prevalence and factors
associated with OME among patients with CPaged 2 to 18 years of age at two tertiary hospitals. Across-sectional study design was used. Diagnosis
of OME was made on presence of a type B tympanogram. Of the 151 patients with CPrecruited the median age was 3 years (IQR 2.5-6.9). Majority
were males (64.2%), had non-ambulatory CP (78.8%) and had breastfed for over 6 months (74.8%). Allergic rhinitis and nasal regurgitation of
feeds were reported in 40.4% and 69.5% respectively. The prevalence of OME was 43.7%. Children who were breastfed for over 6 months (p value
= 0.025) were less likely to have OME while presence of allergic rhinitis (p value = 0.016) and nasal regurgitation of feeds (p value = 0.035)
increased the odds of presence of OME. The prevalence of OME among patients with CP is high (43.7%). Children with CP should breastfeed for
more than 6 months to protect them against OME while timely management of nasal regurgitation of feeds and allergic rhinitis may minimize the
risk of OME in these patients
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