Frequency of otitis media based on otoendoscopic evaluation in preterm infants

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of otitis media in preterm neonates using otoendoscopy and tympanometry.

Study design: Prospective study.

Setting: Wayne State University, Hutzel Women's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Subjects and methods: Eighty-six preterm infants were included (gestational age <36 weeks). Otoendoscopy and tympanometry were performed to detect the presence of otitis media. Kappa statistic and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Otoendoscopy was performed in 85 patients. The frequency of otoendoscopy-diagnosed otitis media was 72.9% (62/85). Tympanometry could be performed on 69.76% of the ears. There was 73.5% agreement between the findings of tympanometry and those of otoendoscopy. The association between the presence of otitis media and gestational age at birth was statistically significant. The lower the gestational age, the higher the frequency of otoendoscopy-diagnosed otitis media (P = .001).

Conclusion: Otoendoscopically diagnosed otitis media is frequent in preterm neonates. There was agreement between the results of tympanometry and those of otoendoscopy. The frequency of otitis media increased with lower gestational age.

Keywords: VLBW infants; middle ear infection; otoendoscopy; preterm birth; tympanometry.