Pacifier use and the occurrence of otitis media in the first year of life

Resident’s Name: Laura Randazzo Sabnani Date:  April 17, 2009

Article title:Pacifier use and the occurrence of otitis media in the first year of life

Author(s): Warren J, et. al

Journal: Pediatric Dentistry

Volume (number):23:2

Month, Year:  2001

Major topic / Main purpose:  To access pacifier use as a risk of otitis media for children up to 1 year.   

Methods and Materials:    Data was collected as part of the Iowa Fluoride Study which recruited 1882 new mothers from 8 Iowa hospitals.  Of the 1882, 502 did not provide any data during the 12 month study.  1375 parents did respond at 6 weeks, 2, 6, 9 and 12 months of age.  Questions were asked regarding specific childhood illnesses such as otitis media, pneumonia, bladder infection, and skin infections.  Parents were also asked about child sucking habits including the object the child sucked on and the frequency and duration.  

Result/Summary:  70% of the children experienced one or more episodes of otitis media during their first year of life, with the second six months having more common occurrence.  Pacifier use, age, male sex, greater number of childcare days, and higher family incomes were significantly associated otitis media.     

Assessment of article:  Interesting article.  I wonder if the higher occurrence of otitis media in children of families with high incomes is associated with an increased awareness (or a more reliable reporter) and/or increase in the parents who responded to the surveys.