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Middle Ear Infection Treatment: Amoxicillin, Ear Drops, Analgesia, and Pediatric Follow-Up to Prevent Mastoiditis Complications

Image of a pediatric consultation in Spain, where a pediatrician examines a young child's ear. In the background, there are children's drawings and a diagram of middle ear infection on a computer screen. On the counter, medical instruments and a bottle of amoxicillin are visible, emphasizing the focus on middle ear infection treatment and potential mastoiditis complications.

Dear colleagues, middle ear infection is one of the most common infections in childhood, and its proper management is crucial to avoid complications and improve the quality of life of our pediatric patients. In this article, we will address middle ear infection treatment, focusing on the use of amoxicillin, analgesia, and pediatric follow-up.

Diving into Middle Ear Infection Treatment

Acute otitis media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear that affects most children before the age of five. The most common pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Adequate analgesia is the first step in managing AOM, and the use of amoxicillin at high doses (80-90 mg/kg/day) is the antibiotic of choice in patients without a penicillin allergy [1].

In children over two years old with mild symptoms, observation without antibiotics may be considered, provided that adequate follow-up is ensured. However, in cases of complications such as mastoiditis, high fever, or persistent symptoms, it is necessary to reevaluate and consider the use of second-line agents such as amoxicillin/clavulanate [2].

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear without acute symptoms. In these cases, antibiotics and decongestants are not effective in accelerating the resolution of the fluid and are not recommended [3].

Conclusions

The management of middle ear infection in the pediatric population requires a careful approach that balances the use of antibiotics and analgesia with appropriate follow-up to prevent complications. Ongoing research into new diagnostic technologies and innovative treatments promises to improve the management of this condition in the future [4].

References

[1] Otitis media: diagnosis and treatment.

[2] New insights into the treatment of acute otitis media.

[3] Otitis media with effusion.

[4] Otitis media: what is new?.


Created 5/1/2025