CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO EARLY OTITIS MEDIA

主要目的是确定在生命的头3年持续的渗出性中耳炎(OME)是否会导致言语、语言、认知或心理社会发展的持久损害，如果是，是否可以通过及时鼓膜造口置管(TTP)来预防或减轻这些损害。来自2个医院和6个儿科实习的6391名2个月大的健康婴儿入选。监测中耳状态和听力。直到3岁，达到关于持续性OME的特定标准的儿童被随机分成两组，要么立即接受TTP治疗，要么在规定的延长的OME持续时间后接受TTP治疗。在3岁、4岁和6岁时，对所有符合随机标准的受试者以及代表OME经验的其他样本进行详细的发育测试。对结果的分析将使人们能够确定OME早期和后来的发育障碍之间是否存在关联；如果存在，这种关联是否是因果关系；以及迅速的TTP是否有效地预防或减轻这种损害。

The main objectives are to determine whether persistent otitis media with effusion (ome) in the first 3 years of life results in lasting impairments of speech, language, cognitive, or psychosocial development, and if so, whether they are prevented or lessened by prompt tympanostomy-tube placement (TTP). From 2 hospitals and 6 pediatric practices 6391 well infants aged <2mo were enrolled. Middle-ear status and hearing are monitored. Up to age 3, children who reach specified criteria regarding persistent OME are randomized to undergo TTP either promptly or after a defined extended period of OME persists. Detailed developmental tests are administered at ages 3, 4 and 6 yr to all subjects who had met randomization criteria and to a sample of others representing a spectrum of OME experience. Analyses of results will enable determinations whether associations exist between early OME and later developmental impairments; if so, whether the associations are causal; and whether prompt TTP is effective in preventing or lessening such impairments.