Vaccines have not curbed rate of ear infection complications

The introduction of pneumococcal vaccines for treating otitis media in children has not prevented complications from occurring, according to new research presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in San Diego, CA. In fact, the research suggests that the focus has changed on what complications may arise.

The retrospective review studied cases over a five-year period (2003-2008) involving complications in patients ranging from newborns to 18 years old, and found that complications continue to occur, with most cases involving lateral sinus thrombosis and epidural abscesses. This is contrary to previous research that indicated that meningities were the more prevalent of complications.

Source: American Academy of Otolaryngology