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A Wait-and-See Approach to Management of Otitis Media in Children: Readers Weigh In

The preponderance of evidence opposes the routine use of antibiotics, although some readers disagree.

Dear Readers,

Several weeks ago, we posted a summary of a BMJ study that reported an association between antibiotic use and higher recurrence rates of otitis media in children. This summary, and our interpretation of it as yet another piece of evidence against the routine use of antibiotics for acute otitis media, provoked an unprecedented reader response and a healthy debate. We asked Jill M. Baren, MD, MBE, FACEP, FAAP, a leading pediatric emergency medicine specialist at the University of Pennsylvania and former editor of Journal Watch Emergency Medicine, to respond to the issues raised by our readers. You will find the summary, our readers' remarks, and Dr. Baren's response at JW Emerg Med Aug 7 2009.

— Ron M. Walls, MD, FRCPC, FAAEM

Published in Journal Watch Emergency Medicine August 21, 2009

Reader Remarks:

Read all Reader Remarks on this article

• otitis media
  John L. Brown, 24 Aug 2009 12:38 PM EST
  If one prevents even one case of meningitis, it is worth using the antibiotics in all the rest of them.... [more]
• Otitis Media-Wait and See Approach
  N.R. Gehrman, 24 Aug 2009 12:38 PM EST
  I applaud trying to decrease our dependence on antibiotic therapy. It should not be the first choice. Before practitioners jump... [more]
• Otitis Media
  Ronald S. Bashian (MD), 14 Sep 2009 1:02 PM EST
  I have practiced general pediatrics for 30 years.
  
  The tone of this article was VERY misleading. It puts a "roundsmanship"... [more]