Acute Otitis Media in Children

Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common disease of early childhood that leads to numerous physicians’ visits and antibiotic prescriptions each year. Acute otitis media generally has a favorable natural history, but in rare cases can lead to severe complications. Although AOM can affect any age group, it is most commonly diagnosed in children 6 months to 5 years of age. The recommended management of AOM includes analgesics with either antibiotic therapy or cautious observation without immediate antibiotics in appropriately selected cases. The treatment of AOM continues to evolve as practice guidelines reflect our improved understanding of treatment outcomes, natural history, host factors, and recent changes in microbiology.