Recurrent Otitis Media among Infants and Children in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Otitis media (OM) is the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear cleft, which includes the middle ear cavity (tympanic cavity), mastoid antrum, mastoid air cells, and the Eustachian tube. It is the second most prevalent pediatric diagnosis of upper respiratory infections in the emergency department. Method: This is an analytical cross-sectional study that was carried out on 336 children in Maternity and Children Hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia. The study aimed to show the prevalence and risk factors of recurrent otitis media among infants and children in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia. Results: The study found that more than half of cases, 53.6%, had otitis media in the last seven months, and 23.2% had recurrent otitis media (ROM). The most common symptoms of otitis media were otalgia reported by 70%, followed by crying and irritability 36.7%. As regard complication, 35.6% of OM cases had complications. More than half (54.7%) had otitis interna followed by 45.3% had a hearing impairment, and 17.2% had mastoiditis. Conclusion: The study concluded that the majority of cases had otitis media, but, recurrent otitis media occurred in 23% of cases. The most common symptom was otalgia. Although there were improvements in the treatment, complications occurred in a third of cases.