The Effect of Ventilation Tubes on Language Development in Infants With Otitis Media With Effusion: A Randomized Trial

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.106.3.e42
• Publication Date: 2004-08-13T23:50:41Z
• Authors: Maroeska M. Rovers; Huub Straatman; Koen Ingels; Gert-Jan van der ...; Paul van den Broek; Gerhard A. Zielhuis
• Keywords: Tympanometry; Watchful waiting

To study the effectiveness of ventilation tubes on language development in infants with persistent otitis media effusion (OME). All existing studies addressed children 3 years age or older. Currently, OME is detected and treated at a younger age. Because critical relationship between age, hearing, development, we conducted effects 1 to 2 old OME.A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial (embedded cohort) treatment arms: 1) (VT group; n = 93); 2) period watchful waiting (WW 94). Hearing loss expressive comprehensive were assessed every 6 months, while tympanometry otoscopy performed months. Other factors potential influence also included: adenoidectomy, hospital, attending day care, sex, randomization, educational level mother, upper respiratory infections, native country parents older siblings. The was designed allow for detection mean difference months more allocated VT WW groups.No relevant differences found groups after adjustment IQ child, baseline. A principal component analysis showed that group, frequent complaints improved 1.6 than those no some complaints. favorable stimulation, however, did not improve less stimulation. No among various clusters. probability >3 was.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]:.29-.68) highly educated mothers versus.09 CI:.02-.30) whose had low level. In these changes were.30 CI:.14-.53) and.14 CI:.04-.35), respectively. >4 was.52 CI:.32-.71) versus.06 CI:.01-.31) group were.42 CI:.23-.64) and.11 CI:.03-.35), addition, there delays both compared their expected values. who effusion-free during follow-up (n 54) 1.5 CI: -.2-3.2) entire 28). development. Disregarding intervention contrast, improvements hearing seemed be related especially verbal comprehension.In this study, used Reynell, Schlichting, Lexi tests relation early These are directly normal language, widely accepted, validated. It cannot ruled out specific measures such as auditory perception would have produced groups, but focus general total 10 received follow-up. further 11 dropped trial. sensitivity change results, baseline completed trial.In OME, h