Antimicrobial prophylaxis for recurrent acute otitis media.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis for recurrent otitis media was first reported in 1960 in an uncontrolled study using a long-acting sulfonamide in Native American children younger than 11 years of age. In subsequent controlled studies using various antimicrobial drugs (primarily aminopenicillins or sulfonamides) subjects receiving prophylaxis continued to have episodes of acute otitis media, but at rates substantially lower than those of controls. More recently, prophylaxis has appeared effective in reducing the number of acute recurrences, but not the cumulative proportion of time with middle ear effusion that was present independent of such recurrences. Although questions remain about choice of drug, optimal dosage schedules, risk of untoward drug reactions, duration of use, and the risk of encouraging the emergence of resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria, antimicrobial prophylaxis currently appears to be the most logical first approach in the management of the child with recurrent otitis media.