Otitis Media (cont.)
Why do young children tend to have ear infections?
The Eustachian tube, a canal that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, is shorter and more horizontal in young children than in older children and adults. This allows easier entry into the middle ear for the microorganisms that cause infection and lead to otitis media. The result is that children are at greater risk of acquiring ear infections than adults.
How does the Eustachian tube change as a child gets older?
As an individual ages, the Eustachian tube doubles in length and becomes more vertically positioned so that the nasopharyngeal orifice (opening) in the adult is significantly below the tympanic orifice (the opening in the middle ear near the ear drum). The greater length and particularly the slope of the tube as it grows serves more effectively to protect, aerate and drain the middle ear.
What microorganisms cause otitis media?
Bacteria and viruses can cause otitis media. Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus),
nontypable Hemophilus influenzae and Moraxella account for about 85% of cases of acute otitis media. Viruses account for the remaining 15%. Affected infants under
six weeks of age tend to have infections from a variety of different bacteria in the middle ear.
What is the relationship between bottle-feeding and otitis
media?
Bottle-feeding is a risk factor for developing otitis media. The
position of the breastfeeding child is better than that of the
bottle-feeding position in terms of function of the Eustachian tube
that leads into the middle ear. If a child needs to be bottle-fed, it
is best to hold the infant rather than allow the child to lie down
with the bottle. Ideally, the child should not take the bottle to
bed. (In addition to increasing the chance for acute otitis media,
falling asleep with milk in the mouth enhances the risk of tooth
decay.)
Next: What are the risk factors for acute otitis media? »
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