Chronic Effects of Pediatric Ear Infections on Postural Stability

Ohud A Sabir; Eric G Johnson; Ammar E Hafiz; Rhonda N Nelson; Mitali Hudlikar; Isha Sheth; Noha S Daher

doi:10.1155/2021/6688991

Chronic Effects of Pediatric Ear Infections on Postural Stability

Int J Pediatr. 2021 Feb 13:2021:6688991. doi: 10.1155/2021/6688991. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Ohud A Sabir^{1

2}, Eric G Johnson², Ammar E Hafiz^{1

2}, Rhonda N Nelson², Mitali Hudlikar², Isha Sheth², Noha S Daher³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, California, USA.
³ Department of Allied Health Studies, Loma Linda University, California, USA.

Abstract

Background: Ear infections in children often cause abnormal postural stability. However, the long-term effects of recurrent ear infections on postural stability have not been investigated.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term effects of multiple ear infections on pediatric postural stability.

Methods: Forty children aged 10-12 years were divided into two groups (18 participants with a history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 3 or more ear infections prior to age five and 22 participants without a history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 0-2 ear infections prior to age five). Computerized Stability Evaluation Test (SET) and noncomputerized postural stability were measured for all participants.

Results: A significant difference was found in median postural stability scores in the SET during a tandem stance on an unstable surface between the two groups (median (minimum, maximum) of 9.1 (1.4, 11.4) versus 5.8 (1.7, 12.8), p = 0.04). In addition, there was a significant difference in median Pediatric Balance Scale scores between participants with versus without ear infection (54 (47, 56) versus 56 (55, 56), p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Results suggest that children ages 10-12 with a history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 3 or more ear infections prior to age five have decreased postural stability.