A CLINICAL STUDY AND MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA IN PAEDIATRIC AGE GROUP.

Background: AOM is the most common cause of opd visits amongst paediatric age group. The objectives of this study are to study the different modes of presentation of acute otitis media in paediatric patients, to study the predisposing risk factors for AOM and the response to appropriate treatment Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Vijayanagara institute of medical sciences, Ballari during study period from January 2021 to June 2022. Seventy five patients who were diagnosed as AOM after history taking and clinical examination were included. They were treated accordingly and were followed up to assess the persistence of symptoms or signs. They also underwent X ray of nasopharynx for adenoid hypertrophy, which was graded according to a study conducted by Cohen and Konak Results: In our study, out of 75 patients, 61(81. 4%) had complaints of earache Out of 75 patients, 40(53. 3%) were irritable or had history of excessive crying, 16(21. 3%) had restlessness at night, 57(76%) had coryzal symptoms, 57(76%) had coryzal symptoms, fever was present in 42(56%) of our patients. Most common age group involved in the study was between 6 to 10 years (36%) followed by patients between 1 to 5 years (30. 7%) and 11 to 13years (20%). In 9 patients with bilateral AOM features, 5 had tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Patients with features of effusion and severe AOM were prescribed mucolytics. Oral antihistamines and decongestants were given to only those patients with features of rhinitis. Patients with features of adenoid hypertrophy/sinusitis/pharyngitis/tonsillitis took more time for recovery as compared to those without. Conclusion: This study gives us various modes of examination and management strategy which influence the recovery and reduce patient’s morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]