May 31, 2000 – Research from the Netherlands shows that in 240 children aged 6 months to 2 years, 7 to 8 children need to be treated to improve a child’s symptoms on day 4 of infection. For researchers, this does not justify prescribing an antibiotic on the first visit.
The randomized, double-blind study showed that symptoms persisted on day 4 in 59% of children treated with an antibiotic (amoxicillin) and in 72% of children treated with placebo. But on the 11th day of treatment, it was a failure for 64% of the experimental group and 70% of the placebo group. Furthermore, the fever lasted on average two days in the experimental group and three days in the placebo group. Finally, after six weeks, the percentage of children with otitis media was almost identical in the two groups (64% for the experimental group and 67% for the placebo group).
According to a comment from Dr Christian Godin, the study confirms what meta-analyzes had already stated, namely that antibiotics have little impact on the cure of acute otitis media, but it suggests short-term efficacy (48 to 72 hours) of antibiotic therapy for pain and fever.
The study does not mention, moreover, either the side effects (increased risk of vomiting, diarrhea and skin reactions) found in meta-analyzes, nor the risk of developing resistance to antibiotics. There is also no mention of alternatives for pain relief. See Otitis media on PasseportSanté.net.
HealthPassport.net
Damoiseaux RA, van Balen FA, Hoes AW, Verheij TJ, de Melker RA. Primary care based randomized, double blind trial of amoxicillin versus placebo for acute otitis media in children aged under 2 years. BMJ. 2000 Feb 5; 320 (7231): 350-4.