Upper respiratory tract infection and eustachian tube function in children.

The Eustachian tube function was studied in 11 children (3-9 years of age) with and without upper respiratory tract infection ( URTI ). During URTI the active muscular opening function deteriorated and middle ear pressure weakened, whereas the passive pressure opening and closing levels, reflecting tubal closing forces, increased. These findings may explain the high frequency of transient episodes of middle ear underpressure and middle ear effusion (MEE) in children. In children with a primary tubal hypofunction due to poor muscular opening function, URTI may contribute to recurrent or persistent MEE.