The following actions may help prevent ear infections: breastfeeding during infancy, avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke, feeding the child with the head elevated and avoiding pacifiers when possible, and avoiding settings that increase a child’s exposure to cold viruses.[15]van Ingen G, le Clercq CMP, Touw CE, et al. Environmental determinants associated with acute otitis media in children: a longitudinal study. Pediatr Res. 2020 Jan;87(1):163-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31421634?tool=bestpractice.com
[60]Bowatte G, Tham R, Allen KJ, et al. Breastfeeding and childhood acute otitis media: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatr. 2015 Dec;104(467):85-95.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apa.13151
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26265016?tool=bestpractice.com
[61]Marchisio P, Bortone B, Ciarcià M, et al. Updated Guidelines for the Management of Acute Otitis Media in Children by the Italian Society of Pediatrics: Prevention. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2019 Dec;38(12s suppl):S22-S36.
https://journals.lww.com/pidj/Fulltext/2019/12001/Updated_Guidelines_for_the_Management_of_Acute.4.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31876602?tool=bestpractice.com
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may have a modest effect on the incidence of AOM, particularly against vaccine strains of pneumococcus.[62]de Sévaux JL, Venekamp RP, Lutje V, et al. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for preventing acute otitis media in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Nov 24;11:CD001480.
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001480.pub6/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33231293?tool=bestpractice.com
[63]Pichichero M, Kaur R, Scott DA, et al. Effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for protection against acute otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy young children: a prospective observational study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2018 Aug;2(8):561-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30119715?tool=bestpractice.com
[64]Kobayashi M, Farrar JL, Gierke R, et al. Use of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine among U.S. children: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Sep 16;71(37):1174-81.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7137a3.htm?s_cid=mm7137a3_w
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36107786?tool=bestpractice.com
Research on the influenza virus immunization for the prevention of AOM has been inconclusive.[65]Norhayati MN, Ho JJ, Azman MY. Influenza vaccines for preventing acute otitis media in infants and children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Oct 17;(10):CD010089.
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010089.pub3/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29039160?tool=bestpractice.com
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In infants and children, do influenza vaccines help to prevent acute otitis media?/cca.html?targetUrl=https://cochranelibrary.com/cca/doi/10.1002/cca.1985/fullShow me the answer[Evidence B]d8abb95e-ae83-42fe-a292-123b60980b8dccaBIn infants and children, do influenza vaccines help to prevent acute otitis media?
Treatment of influenza infections with oseltamivir may prevent middle ear involvement and thus decrease the occurrence of AOM during influenza season.[66]Winther BB. Impact of oseltamivir treatment on the incidence and course of acute otitis media in children with influenza. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2010 Jun;74(6):684-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20363510?tool=bestpractice.com
[67]Gibbs D. Oseltamivir effective for reducing influenza duration in children. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Nov 1;82(9):1140-1.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2010/1101/p1140.html
The use of xylitol, a sugar alcohol, as either a syrup or a gum for the prevention of AOM has produced mixed results.[68]Tapiainen T, Luotonen L, Kontiokari T, et al. Xylitol administered only during respiratory infections failed to prevent acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 2002 Feb;109(2):E19.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11826229?tool=bestpractice.com
[69]Hautalahti O, Renko M, Tapiainen T, et al. Failure of xylitol given three times a day for preventing acute otitis media. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2007 May;26(5):423-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17468653?tool=bestpractice.com
[70]Azarpazhooh A, Lawrence HP, Shah PS, et al. Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 3;(8):CD007095.
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007095.pub3/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27486835?tool=bestpractice.com
[71]Danhauer JL, Johnson CE, Corbin NE, et al. Xylitol as a prophylaxis for acute otitis media: systematic review. Int J Audiol. 2010 Oct;49(10):754-61.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20874048?tool=bestpractice.com
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In children up to 12 years of age, what are the benefits and harms of xylitol for preventing acute otitis media?/cca.html?targetUrl=https://cochranelibrary.com/cca/doi/10.1002/cca.1487/fullShow me the answer
The use of antibiotics for the prevention of AOM, although of limited benefit (the number needed-to-treat to prevent 1 person from experiencing an infection is 5), will likely lead to selection of resistant bacteria.[72]Leach AJ, Morris PS. Antibiotics for the prevention of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Oct 18;(4):CD004401.
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004401.pub2/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17054203?tool=bestpractice.com
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In children at high risk of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media, is there randomized controlled trial evidence to support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis?/cca.html?targetUrl=https://cochranelibrary.com/cca/doi/10.1002/cca.94/fullShow me the answer