|
Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Children under 2 years of age
|
|
Date Posted:
28-Mar-2011
|
|
Submitted by:
Tom Connell
|
|
Hoberman et al, NEJM 2011:364(2):105-15
|
|
The issue of whether to prescribe antibiotics for children with acute otitis media or use a more select 'wait and see' policy has been the subject of significant controversy. In this well conducted study, children less than 2 years of age with acute otitis media (rigorously defined) were randomised to receive amoxycillin-clavulanate or placebo and their outcome assessed by experienced otoscopists. Rates of clinical failure and duration of illness were significantly higher in the placebo arm compared to the antibiotic arm.
|