Acute Otitis Media: Nutritional Considerations

Although most AOM follows viral infection, food and other environmental allergies can result in chronic otitis media in 35% to 40% of cases.⁹ Diets that eliminate foods suspected of causing allergy have resulted in improvement in 86% of affected children, and most relapse when the offending foods are reintroduced.¹⁰ These occurrences may be related to immunoglobulin G (IgG)-food antigen complexes, particularly those of cow's milk protein.¹¹ Children with otitis media have some evidence of poor antioxidant status,^12,13 and poorer zinc and iron status than healthy controls,¹⁴ indicating a need for improved diets.

Orders

Please see Basic Diet Orders.

Consider an elimination diet. For guidelines, see Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy.

What to Tell the Family

Acute otitis media may be prevented in some cases by breast-feeding, avoiding crowded environments (such as day care), preventing exposure to tobacco smoke and food allergens, refraining from use of a pacifier, and providing a diet with adequate micronutrients to support immune function. Antibiotic therapy is not always necessary and is contingent on signs and symptoms of bacterial infection. Repeated episodes of infection may require surgery.