EFFECTS OF OTITIS MEDIA ON BALANCE SYSTEM

中耳炎是儿科人群中最常见的疾病，临床上认为它会导致平衡能力的恶化。尽管中耳炎普遍存在，但其对平衡功能的影响尚未得到系统评估。本研究的总体目标是研究150名2 - 7岁儿童的前庭和平衡功能以及运动发育，并确定中耳炎伴积液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)规范的适龄前庭和平衡数据，并评估自出生以来有中耳病史的儿童前庭和平衡系统的成熟度；2)中耳炎伴积液的影响，包括单侧与双侧积液的影响，鼓室造瘘管的插入对前庭功能、平衡功能和运动功能的影响；3)中耳炎影响前庭功能的哪些方面及其可能的适应机制。

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.