Age distribution characteristics of 1915 cases of otitis media with effusion in children

Objective Objective To study the age distribution characteristics of otitis media with effusion in children and provide a basis for the selection of the timing of tympanic membrane perforation repair in children. Methods A total of 1915 children with otitis media with effusion who visited our hospital from 2017 to 2022 were collected and divided into 4 groups according to age, namely, infant group, preschool group, school-age group and adolescent group, to study the distribution characteristics of the age of onset of children with otitis media with effusion. Results The peak age of children with otitis media with effusion in the preschool period of 4-6 years old was the peak age of children with otitis media with effusion. The number of visits for otitis media with effusion in children aged 7 years old showed an obvious decline “inflection point”, and the number of visits for otitis media with effusion in adolescent children after the age of 13 years old tended to be stable. Conclusion The incidence of otitis media with effusion in children decreased significantly after the age of 7, and the number of visits for otitis media with effusion in children aged 13 years was close to that of adults. This conclusion provides a theoretical basis for the timing of tympanic membrane perforation repair in children. Short summary This study aims to investigate the characteristics of otitis media with effusion otitis media with effusion (OME) in children, focusing on the peak periods for treatment and surgical intervention, the “inflection point” in treatment trends, and the overall changing trends in OME. The findings will provide a foundation for determining the appropriate timing for surgical intervention in pediatric OME cases.