EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC OTITIS MEDIA

Pediatric otitis media is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting children, characterized by inflammation of the middle ear often accompanied by fluid accumulation and varying degrees of hearing impairment. The condition is typically caused by bacterial or viral pathogens, with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis being the most prevalent. Early childhood, particularly ages six months to three years, is a critical period for auditory and speech development, making timely diagnosis and management of otitis media essential to prevent long-term complications such as chronic suppurative otitis media, tympanic membrane perforation, mastoiditis, and hearing loss. Contributing factors include recurrent upper respiratory infections, Eustachian tube dysfunction, allergies, environmental exposures, and genetic predisposition. Effective early intervention requires a combination of clinical assessment, diagnostic evaluation, and evidence-based treatment strategies.