Otitis Media with Effusion
Otitis media with effusion (OME) refers to a buildup of uninfected fluid in the middle ear region. Other names are serous or secretory otitis media SOM. An upper respiratory illness, cold, or sore throat may cause this fluid to build up in the middle ear.
OME is often self-limited, meaning that the fluid typically disappears on its own in 4 to 6 weeks. However, the fluid can persist for a longer time in some cases and temporarily impair hearing, or it could infect the fluid (acute otitis media).
OME is more prevalent in boys than females between 6 months and three years. Due to the lack of severe or visible symptoms, the illness is more prevalent in the fall and winter and frequently goes undiagnosed (compared to acute otitis media).
Although OME symptoms might differ from kid to child and fluctuate in severity, frequent signs and symptoms include difficulty hearing, pushing or tugging at either or both ears, imbalance loss, and delayed speech acquisition. OME symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses or disorders. Always consult your child’s doctor for a precise diagnosis and to review some treatment options.
