Oral dexamethasone for treatment of persistent middle ear effusion.

Abstract

A double-blind controlled study of oral dexamethasone (in a 2-week tapering dose from .15 mg/kg/d) v placebo in 49 pediatric patients (mean age 3.7 years) with persistent asymptomatic middle ear effusion of three or more weeks duration was conducted. Middle ear effusion resolution was determined by a myringotomy-validated algorithm that combined pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry. Four weeks after completing treatment, 1/26 (4%) patients receiving dexamethasone and 2/23 (9%) patients receiving placebo had completely cleared their middle ear effusion (95% confidence interval -0.05 +/- 0.14). Five of 26 (19%) patients receiving dexamethasone and 6/23 (26%) patients receiving placebo had improved their hearing in all affected ears by 10 dB or more (95% confidence interval -0.07 +/- 0.23). Oral dexamethasone as used in this study was not effective in treating persistent middle ear effusion in children.

• Authors: M L Macknin, P K Jones
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 75 Issue 2 Pg. 329-35 (Feb 1985) ISSN: 0031-4005 [Print] United States
• PMID: 4038553 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hearing (drug effects)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Otitis Media (drug therapy)
• Otitis Media with Effusion (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Patient Compliance
• Time Factors