Children are prone to recurrent otitis media due to parents' mistakes in care such as improper nasal irrigation or using medication without prescription.
Master, Doctor Pham Duc Tuan, Department of Pediatrics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that otitis media is common in young children because the eustachian tube (a small tube that runs from the back of the upper throat to the middle ear) is short and horizontal. Pathogens enter the middle ear from the nasopharynx, causing infection.
Recurrent otitis media is defined as three or more episodes within 6 months or four or more episodes within 12 months. This condition occurs in about 20-30% of children in the first years of life due to a variety of causes.
Incorrect breastfeeding
A common mistake that makes children susceptible to recurrent otitis media is incorrect bottle feeding. Children often hold the bottle, lie down on the bed or sofa, causing the milk to flow back up to the nose and ear during swallowing. If the baby is bottle-fed, parents should hold the baby at an angle. For breastfed babies, mothers should hold the baby instead of breastfeeding lying down.
Exposure to tobacco smoke
Children who inhale cigarette and tobacco smoke can increase the risk of recurrent otitis media. Parents should limit their children's passive exposure.
Dr. Duc Tuan explained that cigarette smoke damages the epithelium, releases proteases, inhibits antiproteases, and reduces the bactericidal activity of macrophages and neutrophils. They reduce mucosal activity and disrupt eustanchian function in the middle ear. Children living in smoky environments are also susceptible to tonsillitis, allergies, sinusitis, and lung infections.
Not washing hands often
Parents and children should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time. This is one of the ways to help prevent the spread of cold-causing germs and reduce the risk of recurring ear infections.
Children who wash their hands carelessly increase the risk of recurring otitis media. Photo: Freepik
Cold or viral infection
According to Dr. Tuan, children's immune systems are still developing, so they are susceptible to infection. Children who often catch colds and viruses that cause rhinopharyngitis are at increased risk of otitis media. Parents should have their children fully vaccinated to reduce the risk of disease and complications.
Exposure to infectious sources
Children who have recurrent otitis media often get sick at school or in the classroom. To reduce this risk, parents should instruct their children to wash their hands after using the toilet, before and after eating, and to wear masks when in crowded areas.
Using drugs without prescription
A common mistake that causes children to get otitis media is that parents use old prescriptions or ask for prescriptions from other children who have had similar symptoms. Giving children antibiotics multiple times without a doctor's prescription can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making treatment difficult and affecting the intestines.
Nasal irrigation incorrectly
The habit of rinsing the nose when children have a cold or rhinopharyngitis can cause the nose to lose its natural mucus layer that prevents bacteria from entering. Some nasal sprays contain corticosteroids that cause atrophy of the nasal mucosa. Many parents let their children lie on their backs when spraying their nose, causing the ears to be lower than the nose and throat, making it easy for water to get in and bacteria to attack the ears. Parents should choose the right nasal wash and position according to the doctor's instructions.
If your child has recurrent otitis media, more than three times in 6 months or four times in a year, parents should consult a doctor for a treatment regimen to avoid affecting their health.
Emerald
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