Does Selective Withholding of Treatment of Otitis Media Affect the Rate of Acute Mastoiditis?

Over a 10-year period, the rate of acute mastoiditis in Denmark did not change.

Recently, skepticism has arisen regarding our previous approach to treating acute otitis media (AOM). In some European countries, antibiotic treatment for AOM is withheld for children beyond infancy. This concept has also been emerging in the U.S. (JW Infect Dis Mar 27 2013). Some practitioners have been uncomfortable with this policy, fearing an increase in complications, especially acute mastoiditis (AM). In a recent retrospective study, investigators examined the AM rate — and the change in rate — in Denmark, where the approach to AOM treatment has been to refrain from using antibiotics in children aged >2 years because of the high spontaneous recovery rate and the low accuracy of diagnosing AOM. In that country, all children with AM are…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Does Selective Withholding of Treatment of Otitis Media Affect the Rate of Acute Mastoiditis?

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Reviewing Author