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Wait and Hear: Letting Ear Infections Clear Without Antibiotics

Ear infections are a common complaint of young children, and most have had at least one by the time they are three years old. Parents generally act quickly on ear pain, taking their child to the pediatrician for an antibiotic prescription. However, new research suggests that forgoing the antibiotic and simply monitoring your child's condition may be a useful strategy.

The latest evidence comes from study published today in Pediatrics, which showed that about two-thirds of childhood ear infections resolved without the use of antibiotics.

By Karen Barrow
Medical Reviewer: Robert Daigneault, MD

Ear infections are a common complaint of young children, and most have had at least one by the time they are three years old. Parents generally act quickly on ear pain, taking their child to the pediatrician for an antibiotic prescription. However, new research suggests that forgoing the antibiotic and simply monitoring your child's condition may be a useful strategy.

The latest evidence comes from study published today in Pediatrics, which showed that about two-thirds of childhood ear infections resolved without the use of antibiotics.

Since 60 percent of all antibiotics are prescribed for U.S. children with ear infections, "watchful waiting" may prevent the overuse of antibiotics and the subsequent rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, said David McCormick, MD, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas and lead author of the study.

Learning what is going on inside your child's ear is important for understanding why skipping the antibiotics may keep your child healthier.

Ear Infections Exposed
An ear infection most often occurs when a child has a cold, throat infection or allergy. These conditions may cause the Eustachian tube, a canal that drains fluid from the middle ear to the back of the throat, to become clogged. With the tube blocked, fluid builds up in the middle ear. This fluid may become infected by bacteria or a virus, causing pain and swelling of the eardrum.
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