Acute otitis media among rural children in Finland.

The occurrence of acute otitis media (AOM) and factors predisposing to the disease among children were studied in a small rural community in Finland. The annual incidence of AOM was 13.5% among children under 16 years of age and 28.7% under the age of 5. The highest incidences were found during the second and third years of life, with a subsequent decrease in incidences, but with the exception of peaks at the ages of 4 and 7 years. The following factors were found to predispose a child to AOM: atopic diathesis, attending a day-care center, a lack or short duration of breast-feeding, frequent respiratory infections, and housing in the center of a community, especially in an apartment. The smoking habits and otitis history of the parents did not significantly affect the occurrence of AOM in children.