Prevalence of otitis media with effusion in children with obstructive adenoid disease compared with normal controls at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background.Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common otological disease encountered in children. Diagnosis in children is often delayed as they cannot complain of hearing loss and this may result in speech impairment, inattention, poor performance in school and behavioral problems. Objectives. To assess the association between OME and Obstructive adenoid disease (OAD) in children scheduled for adenoidectomy at Kenyatta National Hospital (K.N.H). Study design. This was a Case control study carried out in children aged 1-8 years in the ENT and surgical outpatient departments of KNH. The study group had clinical and radiological features of chronic obstructive adenoid disease and the control group had no history suggestive of obstructive adenoid disease. Eligible patients were consecutively recruited into the study between June and September 2013. The patients were evaluated for symptoms, otoscopic findings and tympanometry. Lateral neck radiograph measurements was done for children in the study group. Results: The prevalence of OME in children with adenoid hypertrophy at KNH was 67.3% and in the control group was 15.4 % ( 95% CI 4.4 to 29.3). Conclusion and Recommendations: Six in every 10 children with clinician diagnosed and radiologically confirmed adenoid hypertrophy at KNH had OME. Clinical screening tympanometry evaluation and follow up is vital in preventing sequel associated with OME.