Otitis media in children: Risk factors & causative organisms

Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear and the tympanic membrane, which often occurs as a result of an acute upper respiratory tract infection. Generally, it is caused by a viral infection that is then complicated by a secondary bacterial infection.  However, the initial infection may also be bacterial.Otitis media is very common in children and there is a high rate of spontaneous recovery. It has been suggested that it is an unavoidable illness of childhood and part of the natural maturation of a child’s immune system. Despite this, supportive complications can occur, such as perforation of the tympanic membrane, otitis externa and mastoiditis, as well as other sequelae affecting balance, motor control and hearing