| Description |
: |
AOM is primarily but not exclusively a disease of young children;
50% of children will have experienced an attack of AOM before age 2
75 % will have had an attack by 3 years of age.
The reason for this increased susceptibility of young children to attacks of AOM is unclear; however, it appears to be related to an immature immune response and the increased frequency of upper respiratory infections in this age group.
A functional incompetence of the Eustachian tube, which is shorter and more nearly horizontal than in the adult, has also been implicated.
The incidence of all forms of otitis media is significantly higher in children who have cleft palate. |
