Relationship Between Pediatric Obesity and Otitis Media With Effusion

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between pediatric otitis media with effusion and obesity, as determined by body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations.

Epidemiology, natural history, and risk factors: Panel report from the Ninth International Research Conference on Otitis Media

“…In the older group, histories of tonsillectomy and otorrhea among females were related to BMI >85th percentile (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03, 1.65; OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.15, 2.85, respectively). A Korean study reported a significant relationship between tube treatment for OME and mean BMI and total cholesterol [63].…”

The relationship between overweight and otitis media with effusion in children

“…4 Pediatric and adolescent obesity can accompany such cardiovascular risk factors as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis; as well as physical problems, such as nonalcoholic hepatitis, gall bladder stones, orthopedic surgery complications, brain tumor, obstructive sleep apnea, hypoventilation syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome; and emotional and psychological complications. 5 The risk of death is higher in obese than in non-obese male children and adolescents. 6 In addition, childhood obesity has been associated with increased incidences of chronic infection, pulmonary immaturity and asthma.…”

Chorda tympani nerve function in children: Relationship to otitis media and body mass index

“…A relationship between OM and pediatric obesity has recently been reported [11]. That study involved the measurement of BMI in two groups of children: those who underwent ventilation tube insertion for OM with effusion (OME), and control patients who had no history of OME.…”

“…That study involved the measurement of BMI in two groups of children: those who underwent ventilation tube insertion for OM with effusion (OME), and control patients who had no history of OME. It was found that BMI was significantly higher in the OME patient group [11]. Similarly, data presented at the 2008 American Psychological Association and American Chemical Society meetings gained widespread media attention for suggesting that a history of multiple episodes of childhood AOM was associated with a nearly doubled rate of obesity in adulthood [4].…”

“…There are several reasons for this apparent discrepancy with the findings of other authors. Kim et al [11] studied a younger pediatric population (ages 2-7) who presented for ventilation tube insertion for treatment of OME. These patients were compared to a group of children with no history of OME.…”