Absent otoacoustic emissions predict otitis media in young Aboriginal children: A birth cohort study in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in an arid zone of Western Australia

Abstract

Background: Otitis media (OM) is the most common paediatric illness for which antibiotics are prescribed. In Australian Aboriginal children OM is frequently asymptomatic and starts at a younger age, is more common and more likely to result in hearing loss than in non-Aboriginal children. Absent transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) may predict subsequent risk of OM.

Otitis media in Indigenous Australian children: review of epidemiology and risk factors

“…Lehmann et al found evidence of otitis media in 29 per cent more examinations, comparing Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children (0–2 years of age). These latter authors confirmed previous findings 12 that peak prevalence occurs in Indigenous populations earlier, 14 , 15 at 5–9 months, compared with 10–14 months in non-Indigenous subjects.…”

Otitis media in Indigenous Australian children: review of epidemiology and risk factors

“…Lehmann et al found evidence of otitis media in 29 per cent more examinations, comparing Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children (0–2 years of age). These latter authors confirmed previous findings 12 that peak prevalence occurs in Indigenous populations earlier, 14 , 15 at 5–9 months, compared with 10–14 months in non-Indigenous subjects.…”

Australian Aboriginal children have higher hospitalization rates for otitis media but lower surgical procedures than non-Aboriginal children: A record linkage population-based cohort study

“…Our data show that the median age of OM hospitalization was three months younger among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal children, consistent with data from field studies [9, 19]. This is notable, since early onset of OM is associated with increased risk of severe OM and complications [1, 20].…”

Early onset of otitis media is a strong predictor of subsequent disease in urban Aboriginal infants: Djaalinj Waakinj cohort study

“…[4][5][6]15 Twenty of the 125 study participants are known to have had grommets inserted before 3 years of age, a further indication of the disease burden and need for services. The proportion of infants with OM in our urban Aboriginal cohort is somewhat lower than in the Goldfields 20 years ago (35% at 2 months in this study vs. 44% in the KOMRP) 8 and lower than that reported recently in remote Northern Territory communities, where only 20% had normal ears bilaterally at 4 months of age. 17 Larger studies are also needed to confirm that those infants living in crowded conditions or are exposed to maternal smoking are at increased risk of OM; however, findings from this urban study are consistent with the KOMRP.…”

“… 4 , 5 , 6 , 15 Twenty of the 125 study participants are known to have had grommets inserted before 3 years of age, a further indication of the disease burden and need for services. The proportion of infants with OM in our urban Aboriginal cohort is somewhat lower than in the Goldfields 20 years ago (35% at 2 months in this study vs. 44% in the KOMRP) 8 and lower than that reported recently in remote Northern Territory communities, where only 20% had normal ears bilaterally at 4 months of age. 17 …”

Otitis media in Indigenous Australian children: review of epidemiology and risk factors

“…Lehmann et al found evidence of otitis media in 29 per cent more examinations, comparing Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children (0–2 years of age). These latter authors confirmed previous findings 12 that peak prevalence occurs in Indigenous populations earlier, 14 , 15 at 5–9 months, compared with 10–14 months in non-Indigenous subjects.…”

Australian Aboriginal children have higher hospitalization rates for otitis media but lower surgical procedures than non-Aboriginal children: A record linkage population-based cohort study

“…Our data show that the median age of OM hospitalization was three months younger among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal children, consistent with data from field studies [9, 19]. This is notable, since early onset of OM is associated with increased risk of severe OM and complications [1, 20].…”

Early onset of otitis media is a strong predictor of subsequent disease in urban Aboriginal infants: Djaalinj Waakinj cohort study

“…[4][5][6]15 Twenty of the 125 study participants are known to have had grommets inserted before 3 years of age, a further indication of the disease burden and need for services. The proportion of infants with OM in our urban Aboriginal cohort is somewhat lower than in the Goldfields 20 years ago (35% at 2 months in this study vs. 44% in the KOMRP) 8 and lower than that reported recently in remote Northern Territory communities, where only 20% had normal ears bilaterally at 4 months of age. 17 Larger studies are also needed to confirm that those infants living in crowded conditions or are exposed to maternal smoking are at increased risk of OM; however, findings from this urban study are consistent with the KOMRP.…”

“… 4 , 5 , 6 , 15 Twenty of the 125 study participants are known to have had grommets inserted before 3 years of age, a further indication of the disease burden and need for services. The proportion of infants with OM in our urban Aboriginal cohort is somewhat lower than in the Goldfields 20 years ago (35% at 2 months in this study vs. 44% in the KOMRP) 8 and lower than that reported recently in remote Northern Territory communities, where only 20% had normal ears bilaterally at 4 months of age. 17 …”

Otitis media in Indigenous Australian children: review of epidemiology and risk factors

“…Lehmann et al found evidence of otitis media in 29 per cent more examinations, comparing Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children (0–2 years of age). These latter authors confirmed previous findings 12 that peak prevalence occurs in Indigenous populations earlier, 14 , 15 at 5–9 months, compared with 10–14 months in non-Indigenous subjects.…”

Australian Aboriginal children have higher hospitalization rates for otitis media but lower surgical procedures than non-Aboriginal children: A record linkage population-based cohort study

“…Our data show that the median age of OM hospitalization was three months younger among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal children, consistent with data from field studies [9, 19]. This is notable, since early onset of OM is associated with increased risk of severe OM and complications [1, 20].…”

Early onset of otitis media is a strong predictor of subsequent disease in urban Aboriginal infants: Djaalinj Waakinj cohort study

“…[4][5][6]15 Twenty of the 125 study participants are known to have had grommets inserted before 3 years of age, a further indication of the disease burden and need for services. The proportion of infants with OM in our urban Aboriginal cohort is somewhat lower than in the Goldfields 20 years ago (35% at 2 months in this study vs. 44% in the KOMRP) 8 and lower than that reported recently in remote Northern Territory communities, where only 20% had normal ears bilaterally at 4 months of age. 17 Larger studies are also needed to confirm that those infants living in crowded conditions or are exposed to maternal smoking are at increased risk of OM; however, findings from this urban study are consistent with the KOMRP.…”

“… 4 , 5 , 6 , 15 Twenty of the 125 study participants are known to have had grommets inserted before 3 years of age, a further indication of the disease burden and need for services. The proportion of infants with OM in our urban Aboriginal cohort is somewhat lower than in the Goldfields 20 years ago (35% at 2 months in this study vs. 44% in the KOMRP) 8 and lower than that reported recently in remote Northern Territory communities, where only 20% had normal ears bilaterally at 4 months of age. 17 …”