A recent meta-analysis combined individual data from children with acute otitis media as a means to identify groups of children who benefit from antibiotic management/treatment for infections. A group of physicians from the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada published findings in The Lancet, indicating that children under two years of age may benefit from antibiotic treatment of bilateral acute otitis media, but that medical observation may be justified for other children with mild cases. In addition, antibiotics did seem to provide benefit to children with otorrhea, regardless of age. "Benefit" was categorized by reduction in fever and pain. The authors speculated that these findings may be attributable to the higher incidence of bacterial versus viral infections in young children under two years of age. The analysis included 1643 children, 6 months to 12 years in age.
The full article (The Lancet 2006; 368:1429-1435) can be located at www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606696062/abstract
Additionally, a synopsis of the study and findings can be viewed at www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=54658&nfid=nl
Antibiotics for Otitis Media: New Research Suggests a New Plan of Action
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