Malnutrition among children having otitis media: A hospital-based cross-sectional study in Lucknow district

Introduction: Otitis media (OM) is one of the most frequent diseases affecting humans and is prevalent in both developed and developing countries. It is the leading cause of hearing loss and is associated with significant morbidity. Children are at a greater risk and suffer most frequently from Otitis media. Studies show that 80% of children would have experienced at least one episode of Otitis media by their third birthday and 40% would have six or more recurrences by the age of 7 years. Materials and Methods: Study was carried out from Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Pediatrics at Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow during a time period of January 2014 to June 2015. A total 850 subjects were included in our study between 1 - 5 years with symptoms such as ear discharge, ear pain and itching in ear. Observations and Results: Out of 851 children under study 186 (21.9%) were diagnosed as Acute Otitis Media cases, 462 (54.3%) as Chronic Otitis Media cases and rest 203 (23.9%) children were diagnosed to be affected by Otitis Media With Effusion. Out of 851 cases 510 cases were found to be malnourished i.e. 59.9%. Conclusion: Otitis media has a strong positive association with malnutrition. (P < 0.001).