Pacifier Use and the Occurrence of Otitis Media in the First Year of Life

Resident’s Name: Anna Haritos 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: pacifier use
Minor topic(s): n/a
Type of Article: research article
Main Purpose(s): to assess the risk of otitis media with pacifier use
Overview of method of research: longitudinal study with data collected during the Iowa Fluoride Study; questionnaires regarding non-nutritive sucking, feeding practices, and illnesses were sent to participants of the study at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 mo, 9 mo and 12 mo. Over 1300 respondents participated; there was an equal distribution by gender, and 95% of the respondents were Caucasian. Two thirds of parents had attended college, and over half of the children attended some form of daycare outside the home.
Findings: The overall occurrence of otitis media during the first year of life is 72%, with otitis media occurring more during the second half of the first year of life. Otitis media significantly increased with parental education level, family income, daycare attendance, and race (Caucasians having increased occurrence). Risk factors for developing otitis media are: age, sex (male prediliction), duration spent in daycare, and use of pacifier. Multivariate analysis found that otitis media occurrence was significantly associated with pacifier use during the first year of life
Key points/Summary: Pacifier was a risk factor for the occurrence of otitis media during the first year of life; the non-nutritive sucking habit of pacifier use may alter the formation of the Eustachian tubes,
Assessment of article: very useful!