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The Committee on Pediatric Otolaryngology conducted a panel on "Otitis Media and Ventilation Tubes." The panel was composed of Fran Catlin, MD, Houston, Ralph Wetmore, MD, Philadelphia, Ronald Deskin, MD, Austin, Tex (all otolaryngologists), and David Teele, MD, Boston, a pediatrician. William Potsic, MD, Philadelphia, was the moderator.
The discussion opened with the epidemiology and natural history of otitis media. Otitis media with effusion is one of the most common illnesses of childhood. Recent studies indicate that by the age of 3 years, more than two thirds of the children have had at least one episode and one third have had three or more episodes. Acute morbidity and suppurative and structural complications were covered. Complications and sequelae related to hearing loss and delay of speech and language development continue to be studied and require multidisciplinary investigations with carefully designed studies.
Studies were cited that indicate that medical management with antibiotic