Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of culture-proven acute otitis media in Taiwanese children

Abstract

Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common diseases in children. Here, we describe the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of AOM in Taiwanese children over a 10-year period. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled pediatric patients with culture-proven AOM who were treated at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei between 1999–2008. The data include demographic characteristics, clinical history, and microbiological characteristics. Results: Six hundred and fourteen patients were included. The male:female ratio was 1.4 (p 5 years of age and was associated with spontaneous otorrhea (p 5 years of age and is associated with spontaneous otorrhea.

Keywords

• acute otitis media
• nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
• otorrhea
• Streptococcus pneumoniae