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For years, the literature has confirmed that antibiotic treatment for ear infections is not any more effective than placebo and actually increases the risks of reoccurrence. 1
Recently, the AAP and AAFP developed guidelines consistent with the research.
Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common bacterial illness in children and the one most commonly treated with antibiotics. There has been a significant increase in, and concern about antibacterial resistance of the organisms that cause AOM. These factors suggested the need for a detailed evaluation of AOM and its management.
While the number of office visits for otitis media with effusion—middle ear fluid—(OME) have decreased over the past decade from 25 million in 1990 to just 16 million in 2000, the number of antibiotic prescriptions to treat AOM has remained constant. At the same time, concerns about the rising rate of antibiotic—or antibacterial—use and resistance have emerged.
- Cantekin EI Use of antibiotics in preventing recurrent acute otitis media and in treating otitis media with effusion. A meta-analytic attempt to resolve the brouhaha JAMA. 1993 (Sep 15); 270 (11): 1344-1351
- www.aafp.org/x26481.xml
 This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #08.
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