Correlation of acute suppurative otitis media with infant feeding position

Abstract

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common childhood illness necessitating medical therapy for children younger than 5 years. Long-term and exclusive breastfeeding is associated with protection against AOM. However, faulty feeding position and habits can lead to the occurrence of AOM in infants. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the risk of occurrence of AOM with faulty feeding positions during the 1st year of life. Materials and Methods: All breastfed infants <1 year with a provisional diagnosis of AOM, during August 2015 - January 2016 (6 months), were included in the study. Syndromic children, children with craniofacial anomalies, bottle-fed infants, and those not willing to participate in the study were excluded from the study. Demographic details and detailed history, especially, the feeding position were collected from the parents. Diagnosis of AOM was confirmed by a senior ENT surgeon after otoscopic examination. Results: 118 children with AOM were statistically analyzed. They aged between 1 month and 12 months with a mean of 6.8 and standard deviation of 4.1 months. There were 68 (57.62%) males and 50 (42.37%) females. No statistical significance was observed for sex or laterality with AOM. A statistically significant correlation was observed between AOM and age groups, AOM and position of the baby. Conclusion: In this study, we have observed that feeding the infant in supine position significantly increases the risk of AOM in infants.

Association of Acute Otitis Media with Breast Feeding Position Among Infants in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Pakistan

“…The results of our study provide valuable information regarding the gender wise distribution of incidence of AOM, age wise distribution of incidence of AOM, association between incidence of AOM and breast feeding position, and association between breast feeding position with maternal educational status. AOM is a commonest illness among childhood with the best incidence in the first year of life, with the peak incidence in the second 6 months in most studies and the frequency gradually declines as the age increases [3]. In our study similar finding is observed, majority cases were found to be between 10-12 followed by 7-9 months of age.…”

“…In our study similar finding is observed, majority cases were found to be between 10-12 followed by 7-9 months of age. A study that was conducted in India also showed that occurrence of AOM was most noteworthy among children of 7-9 months age group [3]. Although prevalence was more among male infants than female infants however it was not statistically significant (p=0.169).…”

“…Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is the commonest infection of childhood affecting children before 5 years of age. Acute otitis media is defined clinicopathologically as inflammation of the mucoperiosteal lining of middle ear cleft of rapid onset, infective in origin, and associated with a middle ear effusion, and a varied collection of clinical symptoms, which include ear discharge, fever, irritability, earache, ear pulling and excessive crying [1][2][3][4]. Studies have shown that 80% of children will have experienced at least one episode of AOM by their 3rd year [5].…”

“…Studies showed that the AOM load is most elevated between 6-12months of age [7], [8]. This might be owing to their weak immune system and immature Eustachian Tube anatomically and physiologically [3]. This rising incidence of AOM is the burden on health care system, leading to their exhaustion [1,5,9].…”

“…Different studies have been conducted, determining the association of AOM and breastfeeding and have concluded that breastfeeding protects against AOM @ until 2 years of age with the greatest protection provided by exclusive breastfeeding [16]- [19]. The Association of inaccurate feeding posture has been correlated with an increase in the risk of AOM in various studies [3], [20]- [21].…”