A prospective observational cohort study to assess the incidence of acute otitis media among children 0-5 years of age in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objectives: To estimate acute otitis media incidence among young children and impact on quality of life of parents/caregivers in a southern Brazilian city. Methods: Prospective cohort study including children 0-5 years of age registered at a private pediatric practice. Acute otitis media episodes diagnosed by a pediatrician and impact on quality of life of parents/caregivers were assessed during a 12-month follow-up. Results: During September 2008-March 2010, of 1,136 children enrolled in the study, 1074 (95%) were followed 55.0% were ≤2 years of age, 52.3% males, 94.7% white, and 69.2% had previously received pneumococcal vaccine in private clinics. Acute otitis media incidence per 1000 person-years was 95.7 (95% confidence interval 77.2-117.4) overall, 105.5 (95% confidence interval 78.3-139.0) in children ≤2 years of age and 63.6 (95% confidence interval 43.2-90.3) in children 3-5 years of age. Acute otitis media incidence per 1000 person-years was 86.3 (95% confidence interval 65.5-111.5) and 117.1 (95% confidence interval 80.1-165.3) among vaccinated and unvaccinated children, respectively. Nearly 68.9% of parents reported worsening of their overall quality of life. Conclusion: Acute otitis media incidence among unvaccinated children in our study may be useful as baseline data to assess impact of pneumococcal vaccine introduction in the Brazilian National Immunization Program in April 2010.