Hashim Noor Dina, Lee Lee Chin, Yazid Farinawati
Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, MYS.
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru, MYS.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 28;16(8):e68006. doi: 10.7759/cureus.68006. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common middle ear condition, which frequently affects children and can lead to hearing impairment, speech delays, and developmental issues. Early childhood caries (ECC) is another prevalent pediatric condition defined by the presence of decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces in children under six years old. : This study aims to determine the prevalence of OME and ECC, the association between these two conditions, and the risk and severity of ECC among preschool children with OME. : A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a single tertiary center. A total of 206 preschool children aged six and below with hearing impairment or speech delay were recruited. They were grouped as follows: with OME (= 129) and without OME ( = 77). Demographic and socioeconomic data were obtained, followed by otoscopy, anterior rhinoscopy, and tympanometric assessment. The subjects were further stratified into having ECC or not by conducting a dental examination for caries detection, whose findings were documented using Dental Charting and Caries Risk Assessment (CRA). Tympanometric width (TW) was also analyzed to measure its association with tympanic membrane appearance. 51.5% (n=106) of children with OME were found to have ECC. They predominantly had mild ECC (49.1%), and most (51%) were at moderate risk for caries based on the CRA ( < 0.001). A significant association between OME and ECC was observed (p < 0.001). Tympanometry results documented a strong correlation between TW greater than 200 daPa and abnormal tympanic membrane findings in OME (< 0.001). The association between OME and ECC in preschool children necessitates integrated healthcare approaches for early detection and management. Reliable diagnostic tools, such as tympanic width measurement for OME and CRA for ECC, are crucial in addressing these health issues. Early intervention and comprehensive care can mitigate the risks and improve health outcomes for affected children.
分泌性中耳炎（OME）是一种常见的中耳疾病，经常影响儿童，并可能导致听力障碍、语言发育迟缓及发育问题。幼儿龋齿（ECC）是另一种常见的儿科疾病，定义为6岁以下儿童出现龋坏、缺失或充填的牙面。本研究旨在确定OME和ECC的患病率、这两种疾病之间的关联，以及OME学龄前儿童中ECC的风险和严重程度。在一家单一的三级中心进行了一项前瞻性横断面研究。共招募了206名6岁及以下有听力障碍或语言发育迟缓的学龄前儿童。他们被分为以下几组：患有OME（n = 129）和未患有OME（n = 77）。获取了人口统计学和社会经济数据，随后进行了耳镜检查、前鼻镜检查和鼓室图评估。通过进行龋齿检测的牙科检查，将受试者进一步分为患有ECC或未患有ECC，其检查结果使用牙科图表和龋齿风险评估（CRA）进行记录。还分析了鼓室图宽度（TW），以测量其与鼓膜外观的关联。发现51.5%（n = 106）的OME儿童患有ECC。他们主要患有轻度ECC（49.1%），并且根据CRA，大多数（51%）处于中度龋齿风险（p < 0.001）。观察到OME和ECC之间存在显著关联（p < 0.001）。鼓室图结果表明，在OME中，TW大于200 daPa与异常鼓膜检查结果之间存在强相关性（p < 0.001）。学龄前儿童中OME和ECC之间的关联需要综合医疗保健方法来进行早期检测和管理。可靠的诊断工具，如用于OME的鼓膜宽度测量和用于ECC的CRA，对于解决这些健康问题至关重要。早期干预和综合护理可以降低风险并改善受影响儿童的健康结局。
