EFFECTS OF OTITIS MEDIA ON BALANCE SYSTEM

中耳炎是儿科人群中最常见的疾病，临床上认为会导致平衡恶化。 尽管中耳炎的患病率很高，但其对平衡功能的影响尚未得到系统的评价。 本提案的总体目标是研究150名2至7岁儿童的前庭和平衡功能以及运动发育，并确定渗出性中耳炎对平衡和前庭系统的短期和长期影响。本研究将前瞻性地建立：1）标准的年龄适当的前庭和平衡数据，并评估出生后有中耳病史的儿童队列中前庭和平衡系统的成熟度; 2）渗出性中耳炎的影响，包括单侧与双侧渗出的影响，以及鼓膜造孔管插入对前庭和平衡功能以及运动功能的影响;和3）前庭功能的哪些方面受到中耳炎的影响以及可能的适应机制。

Otitis media, which is the most common disease in the pediatric population, is believed clinically to cause a deterioration of balance. Despite this prevalence of otitis media, its effect on balance function has not been systematically evaluated. The overall objectives of this proposal are to study vestibular and balance function and motor development in a cohort of 150 children ages 2 to 7 years, and determine the short and long-term effects of otitis media with effusion on the balance and vestibular system. This study will prospectively establish: 1) normative age-appropriate vestibular and balance data and evaluate the maturation of the vestibular and balance system in a cohort of children with documented middle ear history since birth; 2) the effect of otitis media with effusion, including the effect of unilateral vs. bilateral effusion, and tympanostomy tube insertion on vestibular and balance function and motor function; and 3) which aspects of vestibular function are affected by otitis media and possible adaptive mechanisms.