Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)

My child has had fluid in his ears...What is that and why is it there? Stridor is the sound produced by turbulent flow of air through a narrowed segment of the respiratory tract. It is a sign of airway obstruction in a child. It typically originates from the larynx (voice box) or trachea (windpipe). The larynx functions as a passage for breathing, an organ of communication, and as a protective valve to prevent foreign objects including food and water from entering the lungs. Infections or abnormalites of the larynx can produce symptoms and signs of airflow obstruction, altered phonation, and/or feeding difficulty.

How is ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) treated? Many cases of OME need no treatment; they resolve by themselves. This is especially appropriate in the asymptomatic child with little hearing loss, normal speech and language development, and a history of having normal ears in the recent past. Children with multiple infections might be moved away from other children (out of daycare). Anitbiotics probably have a small (and probably temporary) beneficial effect...for a minority of children (since there often is no infection). Steroids might help some children, at least temporarily, but are generally not recommended...because of side effects and lack of conclusive evidence about effectiveness. Antihistamines and/or decongestants are often recommended but have, in general proven NOT to be of benefit. Likewise, allergic management is vigorously defended by some practitioners; but the data about effectiveness is not convincing. Holistic, nutritional, chiropractic, "candle-ing", garlic, and other "natural" remedies work at least as well as placebo (which is not too bad)...but are severely lacking in data or rationale. Surgical treatments such as tube insertion and/or adenoidectomy are generally recommended for long-standing OME (greater than 3-4 months), or for those cases with unusually severe symptomatology or associated problems (e.g., speech and language delay).