Leukocytic Infiltration in Middle Ear of Newborn Infants: A Pathological Study

Frequency of Otitis Media Based on Otoendoscopic Evaluation in Preterm Infants

“…Among previous studies on ear infections in neonates, some specifically focused on the presence of amniotic fluid in the middle ear, suggesting its role in this pathology. 3,6,27,[29][30][31] The study designs ranged from examining the middle ear cavity histologically for the presence of amniotic aspirations to determining the association of meconium stained amniotic fluid with the incidence of OM in neonatespreterm, full-term newborns, as well as deceased. This concept has been discussed by Eavey 3 in a study that involved (1) clinical examination of neonates for TM abnormalities, (2) retrospective histological analysis of temporal bones of deceased neonates for the presence of amniotic fluid cellular content, and (3) a demonstration of the concept using an animal model.…”

“…Among previous studies on ear infections in neonates, some specifically focused on the presence of amniotic fluid in the middle ear, suggesting its role in this pathology 3,6,27,29‐31 . The study designs ranged from examining the middle ear cavity histologically for the presence of amniotic aspirations to determining the association of meconium stained amniotic fluid with the incidence of OM in neonates—preterm, full‐term newborns, as well as deceased.…”

Pathogenesis of Middle Ear Adhesions

“…We believe that the mucosal folds in human middle ears described by Proctor 1,2 are sequelae of middle ear infection, which is very common during infancy and early childhood 15,16 . Moreover, there is unequivocal evidence that otitis media exists in premature infants and neonates, 17‐22 and even can exist in utero 22 . Frequent finding of a mucosal fold at a certain location does not necessarily mean that it is congenital‐it could just as easily be a pathological adhesion.…”

Abnormalities of the Neonatal Ear: Otoscopic Observations, Histologic Observations, and a Model for Contamination of the Middle Ear by Cellular Contents of Amniotic Fluid

“…She concluded that "aspiration of infected amniotic fluid is believed to be the cause of the pathologic picture presented:' Her observation of the "apparent parallels between the inflammatory conditions in the ears, sinuses and lungs ... indicated a 'common source of infection:" Buch and Jorgensen analyzed temporal bones from 73 patients. 36 Thirty-one demonstrated a moderate or small amount of pus. This pus was found in the lumen of the middle ear in 43% of the patients; leukocytic infiltration of the mucosa was demonstrated in 19% of the patients.…”