Symptoms of otitis media in babies

  Otitis media in children is a common infectious disease of childhood with high incidence, easy recurrence, complications and sequelae, and has many clinical features that are different from those of adult patients.  The systemic symptoms of otitis media in children are more severe, with acute illness, lethargy, fever, and a body temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or more. Children over 3 years of age often complain of headache or earache, and convulsions may occur. It is often accompanied by symptoms of gastrointestinal toxicity such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Since the sutures of the middle ear are not yet closed in children under 2 years of age, and there are abundant blood vessels and lymphatic vessels between the middle ear mucosa and the dura mater, acute purulent inflammation of the middle ear can affect the adjacent dura mater and cause meningeal irritation, but there are no typical purulent changes in the cerebrospinal fluid, which can cause intracranial complications in severe cases. Since infants do not have the ability to complain of pain, they often exhibit unexplained ear scratching, head shaking, and crying. In addition, the tympanic membrane is thicker and more elastic, so it is less likely to be perforated; even if there is more pus in the tympanic chamber and mastoid airspace, the tympanic membrane may not be significantly congested or swollen. CT reveals that the mastoid cavity of the middle ear is filled with uniform and consistent secretions.  The symptoms of otitis media in children are more severe, so they should be seen as early as possible and treated under the guidance of a physician and not treated with medication without authorization.