Developmental outcomes did not differ for early or delayed tympanostomy tube insertion in young children with otitis media
QUESTION: In young children with persistent otitis media with effusion, does prompt insertion of tympanostomy tubes protect against or minimise subsequent developmental impairment at 3 years of age compared with delayed insertion?
Design
Randomised (allocation concealed), blinded (outcome assessors), controlled trial with follow up to 3 years of age.
Setting
2 hospitals and 6 private paediatric group practices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Patients
Of 6350 children enrolled by age 2 months, 429 children (mean age 15 mo, 57% boys) in whom persistent otitis media with effusion developed by the age of 3 years participated. Exclusion criteria included birth weight <2270 g, small for gestational age, history of neonatal asphyxia or other serious illness, major congenital malformation or chronic …
