[Otitis media in patients with Down's syndrome].

61 patients with Down's syndrome were examined. Otitis media was diagnosed in 19 patients. Conductive hearing impairment after otitis media was observed in pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry. It was emphasized that conductive hearing loss in children with Down's syndrome is a very important factor in retarded speech development. Children with recurrent otitis media were treated by surgery (9 adenotomies) and conservative treatment such as insufflation and catheterisation of Eustachian tubes, pharmacotherapy. Treatment of otitis media was difficult because of anatomical anomalies of facialocranium, atrophic mucous membrane of upper respiratory tract, reduced immunity.