Otitis Media and Chronic Middle Ear Effusion in the Asthmatic Pediatric Patient

In a retrospective study, a high incidence of otitis media and chronic middle ear effusion was recognized in pediatric patients with allergies, in particular, asthma. Five hundred and nineteen cases were examined to see if significant correlations could be made between asthma and 1) the development of otitis media, 2) the placement of multiple tubes, and 3) the incidence of mucoid otitis media, or "glue ear." The results of this preliminary report indicate that otitis media in the asthmatic patient seems to be a reflection of a disease affecting the entire mucociliary system in the respiratory tract and that this information should be used when making a prognosis for an asthmatic patient.