Relationship between otitis media with effusions and pediatric obesity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and otitis media with effusion. 471 cases with ages between 4 and 12 years were included. Of the 471 cases, 204 cases (97 girls, 107 boys) were diagnosed OME, the study group, 267cases (127 girls, 140 boys) were the control group. Body mass index of the two groups were compared to each other. The average body mass index for girls in all age groups was 17.93 ± 1.92 (n: 97) for cases with OME and 16.67 ± 1.28 (n: 127) for the control group.(p < 0.05). The average BMI for boys in all age groups was 18.25 ± 1.98 (n: 107) for cases with OME and 16.30 ± 1.26 (n: 140) for the control group. (p < 0.05). Children with a BMI greater than or equal to the 85th percentile were considered to be overweight or obese. Regarding the girls, of the 97 cases with OME, 23 cases were overweight, whereas of the 127 control cases, 7 cases were found to be overweight. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Regarding the boys, of the 107 cases with OME, 29 cases were overweight, whereas of the 140 control cases, 13 cases were found to be overweight. This difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). It is concluded that childhood obesity and overweight may play a role as a predisposing factor in the development of OME. It is also noted that even if a child is in the normal range of BMI percentile (less than 85th percentile; not obese or overweight), as the BMI increases, the relative risk of developing OME increases.

Keywords: Body mass index; Childhood obesity; Obesity; Otitis media with effusions.