Acute otitis media in children.

Acute otitis media, a common childhood disorder, is an inflammation of the middle ear. It is the most frequent diagnosis made in primary care settings for children under 15 years of age. Almost all children are afflicted with at least one episode of otitis media before age 6. Diagnosis can often be challenging, especially in infants and toddlers. Moreover, management controversies exist. This article addresses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of acute otitis media and presents treatment options based on results of recent research. When a child is diagnosed with acute otitis media, it behooves the clinician to use sound research-based clinical judgment in prescribing treatment.