Acute middle ear infection in children is a benign condition, quite common, especially in infants and young children. However, the disease can still lead to dangerous complications if acute middle ear infection in children is not treated promptly and properly. The following article will update you on 4 potential dangerous complications of middle ear infection in children.
1. How many types of middle ear infections are there in children?
Middle ear infection in children is an infection or inflammation that occurs in the middle ear mucosa. This condition can occur in any child, especially those aged 6 to 24 months. The reason is that infants in the early years have weaker immune systems, not fully developed, making them more susceptible to infection.
Middle ear infections in children have 3 main types, including:
– Acute otitis media: This is a short-term middle ear infection that often occurs suddenly. It is accompanied by symptoms such as earache, fever, and may have ear discharge. The disease can either heal on its own or respond positively to treatment.
– Chronic otitis media: Chronic otitis media is a type of middle ear infection that occurs over a long period, recurring multiple times. It is often the result of acute otitis media not being treated properly or completely, or it can also occur due to other issues such as mechanical trauma, Eustachian tube obstruction, etc.
– Otitis media with effusion: Otitis media with effusion does not come with infectious symptoms like acute otitis media. Instead, it is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear and can last for a long time. Otitis media with effusion may also be the result of untreated acute otitis media or due to the impact of other conditions such as: pharyngitis, adenoid hypertrophy, lymphoid hyperplasia, allergies, etc.
Each type of middle ear infection and its underlying causes require different treatment protocols for quick and effective treatment. Therefore, children with middle ear infections need to be examined to determine the disease, its condition, so that doctors can advise on appropriate treatment protocols to quickly recover from the illness.
2. Causes of acute middle ear infection in children
The main causes of acute middle ear infection in children are currently mainly due to the invasion, attack of viruses, bacteria into the middle ear. Some viruses, bacteria commonly causing acute middle ear infection in children include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Rhinovirus, Influenza, RSV, etc.
The main causes of acute middle ear infection in children are currently mainly due to the attack of viruses, bacteria into the middle ear
In addition, children may also develop acute middle ear infections due to the following risk factors:
– Children are suffering from upper respiratory infections such as colds or flu.
– Children encounter issues related to the Eustachian tube.
– Children have undeveloped or weak immune systems.
– Being born into families with a history of middle ear infections.
– Children frequently exposed to unhygienic environments or living in environments with smokers.
3. Acute middle ear infection in children can progress to 4 dangerous complications
3.1. Chronic otitis media – One of complications of middle ear infection in children
This is a very common complication in children with acute middle ear infections. The cause is that children with acute middle ear infections are not treated properly and completely, the infection recurs many times, the treatment period is prolonged, and the disease progresses to chronic form.
The complication of chronic otitis media currently also has 2 types:
– Chronic suppurative otitis media: accompanied by symptoms such as reduced vision, ear buzzing, occasional earache.
– Chronic otitis media with bone damage: occurs along with recurrent active inflammation, the child will have symptoms such as high fever, headache, earache, foul-smelling discharge from the ear…
3.2. Acute middle ear infection in children causing tympanic membrane perforation
The eardrum is a thin membrane located between the outer ear and the middle ear, playing an important role in transmitting sound from the outer ear to the middle ear. Children with acute middle ear infections not treated promptly or properly may cause pus to accumulate in the middle ear, creating high pressure and leading to tympanic membrane perforation. In other cases, this complication may occur if the infection in the middle ear is not effectively treated, leading to swelling and increased pressure on the eardrum, resulting in perforation.
Tympanic membrane perforation due to middle ear infections creates conditions for water, dirt, or bacteria to easily enter the middle ear, rapidly increasing the risk of ear infections. Worse, this complication can cause problems with hearing, even complete hearing loss. Therefore, children with tympanic membrane perforation complications need to be treated as early as possible.
Tympanic membrane perforation is one of complications of middle ear infection in children
3.3. Acute middle ear infection in children causing mastoiditis complication
The mastoid bone is a component of the inner structure of the middle ear. Children with acute middle ear infections not treated carefully can cause mastoiditis complications. As a result, the middle ear infection recurs repeatedly, making it difficult to treat and recover. Worse, this complication can cause the mastoid bone to rupture or progress to meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess…
3.4. Necrosis complication of internal components of the ear
This is a complication that can occur in both children with acute and chronic middle ear infections. If not treated early and properly, children may face serious consequences such as permanent deafness, frequent dizziness, loss of balance, facial nerve paralysis…
Parents should take their babies to the healcare facility if they have unusual symptoms of the ears
In addition to the above-mentioned complications, acute middle ear infections in children also have direct impacts on the quality of life of children, causing pain, discomfort for many days. Therefore, when detecting unusual symptoms of the ears: ear pain, itching, ear discharge, fever… parents should take their children to the nearest Thu Cuc TCI facility for diagnosis and timely treatment.
