Otitis media with effusion in preschool children with adenoid hypertrophy: Risk factors and nursing care.
Runyi Hu, Lifang Xia, Chenchen Shi and 2 others
PMID 38701327WHAT IT FOUND
Preschool children with adenoid hypertrophy are at higher risk for otitis media with effusion if they are under 3 years old or have had the hypertrophy for 12 months or more.
Nurses should watch for subtle hearing loss in these groups and escalate for audiology assessment.
Key findings
01In 166 children with adenoid hypertrophy, 58 (34.94%) had otitis media with effusion.
02Age under 3 years and duration of adenoid hypertrophy of 12 months or more were independent risk factors for otitis media with effusion.
03Allergic history, chronic sinusitis, and the size of the adenoids and tonsils did not differ significantly between children with and without otitis media with effusion.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study did not use tympanometry, relying only on ear endoscopy to diagnose otitis media with effusion, which may miss cases without visible effusion. Adenoid size was graded using a subjective 4-degree classification, which may introduce observer bias. The retrospective design meant children were not examined regularly over time, so the natural progression of adenoid hypertrophy could not be fully tracked.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests, and the study received no funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that larger adenoids or a history of allergies increases the risk of otitis media with effusion in these children. The study found no significant difference in adenoid size, tonsil size, or allergic history between children with and without the condition.