Watchful Waiting Urged for Mild Ear Infections

Mild childhood ear infections may be best left untreated to see if they clear up on their own, the American Academy of Pediatrics said on Monday.

Mild childhood ear infections may be best left untreated to see if they clear up on their own, the American Academy of Pediatrics said on Monday. The condition, otitis media with effusion, afflicts nearly every toddler and preschooler at some point, the group said, with about 2 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year. For children who are not at risk for speech, language or learning problems, “watchful waiting” for at least three months is recommended instead of treatment. The statement, published in the May issue of the group’s journal, “Pediatrics,” said decongestants and antihistamines were not effective treatments and that corticosteroids or antibiotics such as penicillin were not recommended for “routine management” of the condition. If a child needs surgery, it added, insertion of drainage tubes was the preferred initial treatment. The condition is different from acute otitis media, which involves intense signs and symptoms of infection and inflammation, the statement said. (Source: Reuters Health News: May 2004)