In This Article
Subscribe to Health Updates
Link Found Between Pacifiers and Recurrent Ear Infections
June 20, 2008 12:39 PM
by
Liz Colville
A study of 500 Dutch children found that those using pacifiers nearly doubled their risk of getting ear infections.
30-Second Summary
The study indicates that using a pacifier “may allow bacteria to more easily migrate from secretions in the nose to the middle ear.” The results are relevant to children who already have a history of ear infections, suggesting that they should not be using pacifiers.
The researchers at University Medical Center in Utrecht found that there was a 90 percent chance of recurrence of ear infections in children who used pacifiers.
Bacterial or viral infections of the middle ear, called acute otitis media (AOM), are “one of the most common childhood infections, the leading cause of doctors’ visits by children and the most frequent reason for children to receive antibiotics or undergo surgery,” according to the study authors.
Most AOM infections disappear on their own, though they are sometimes treated with an antibiotic like amoxicillin, according to the Merck Manual.
The results, which are “consistent with previous studies” on pacifier use and ear infections, are published in the journal Family Practice and are available for free online.
The information will likely add to the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of pacifier use. Several studies have reported a decreased chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome with pacifier use, though the American Academy of Pediatrics has yet to endorse the device for such a purpose.
The researchers at University Medical Center in Utrecht found that there was a 90 percent chance of recurrence of ear infections in children who used pacifiers.
Bacterial or viral infections of the middle ear, called acute otitis media (AOM), are “one of the most common childhood infections, the leading cause of doctors’ visits by children and the most frequent reason for children to receive antibiotics or undergo surgery,” according to the study authors.
Most AOM infections disappear on their own, though they are sometimes treated with an antibiotic like amoxicillin, according to the Merck Manual.
The results, which are “consistent with previous studies” on pacifier use and ear infections, are published in the journal Family Practice and are available for free online.
The information will likely add to the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of pacifier use. Several studies have reported a decreased chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome with pacifier use, though the American Academy of Pediatrics has yet to endorse the device for such a purpose.
Headline Link: Connection found between pacifier use and ear infections
The chair of the Royal College of GPs told the BBC that while there has been previous work done on the link between pacifiers and ear infections, those studies were not as well conducted as this one. “This is a very useful piece of research that shows use of dummies [pacifiers] in children under the age of four who have a history of ear infections is not a good idea,” Professor Steve Field said. “There's no need to panic but—in those children—not using a dummy is likely to prevent recurrence.”
Source: BBC News
Opinions & Analysis: The pacifier debate
The Mayo Clinic’s article “Pacifiers: Are they good for your baby?” outlines many pros and cons of using the device. Among the pros: offering temporary distraction; helping a baby sleep; and possibly lowering the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Among the cons: interference with breast feeding, increased probability of ear infections and risk of dependency. The site also lists some “dos and don’ts” for pacifier use.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Consumer Reports offers some guidelines and information on pacifiers, including whether to buy them and what types to invest in. Consumer Reports advises buying online silicone pacifiers and only using them when the baby is not hungry. It also recommends pacifiers over thumb-sucking because of bacteria risks and the chance of developing jaw misalignment.
Source: Consumer Reports
Related Topic: Pacifiers and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Several recent studies on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome suggest that the use of pacifiers seems to decrease the occurrence of SIDS. A 2006 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that there “is a remarkably consistent reduction of SIDS with pacifier use,” but that the “mechanism by which pacifiers might reduce the risk of SIDS is unknown.”
Source: Pediatrics [PDF]
Reference Links: The pacifier/AOM link and definition of acute otitis media
‘Is pacifier use a risk factor for acute otitis media?’
Observing children between the ages of 0 and 4 for an average of 2.9 years, the researchers’ findings suggest that an increased risk of pacifier use was only present in children with recurrent acute otitis media; they concluded that children already diagnosed with recurrent ear infections should not use pacifiers.
Source: Family Practice [PDF]
Definition of acute otitis media
Acute otitis media is the medical term for middle ear infections caused by a virus or bacteria. According to the Merck Manual, “The infected ear is painful, with a red, bulging eardrum. Most people with acute otitis media get better without treatment. However, because it is hard to predict whose symptoms will not lessen, some doctors treat all people with antibiotics.”
Source: Merck Manual: Home Edition
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
