Babies tend to get ear infections more frequently than adults, but it can be difficult for parents to recognize and treat the problem. In general, ear infections affect the middle ear and are also known by their scientific name otitis media. In children younger than 3 years old, 75 percent have had an ear infection and about 50 percent of those kids have had three or more, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Causes
Many things work together to make ear infections more likely in infants than in older children or adults. Becuse ear infections often stem from a respiratory infection that has made its way into the sinuses, a baby's weaker immune system makes him more likely to catch cold, bacterial infections and other illnesses that will lead to ear problems. The size and shape of the eustachian tube, the tube between the throat and middle ear, is more conducive to ear infections in infants than in adults, who have longer and more vertical eustachian tubes.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ear infection in an infant may be quite different than in an adult. A baby with otitis media may tug at his ear, although this can be deceptive since babies may pull on their ears for no reason whatsoever. Other signs that can clue parents in to a potential ear infection include a loss of appetite, inconsolable crying, a sudden increase in fussiness, a low-grade fever, a cold or diarrhea from the infection that may be causing the ear infection, frequent waking at night, drainage from the ear or a bad smell coming from the ear canal.
Treatment
In babies less than 6 months of age, an ear infection can lead to further bacterial infections so antibiotics are generally prescribed to head off further problems. Infants older than 6 months may be given pain medication under a pediatricians advisement to ease the symptoms while the ear infection is left to clear up on its own. If the infection is still bothering the infant after about three days or if the child has recurrent ear infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. Ear tubes that keep the eardrum open can also be surgically placed into a baby's ear to help aid drainage.
Complications
Ear infections in babies typically do not develop into severe complications, although the baby may be fussy or in pain for a few days. Sometimes, the eardrum will rupture, releasing fluid from the ear. This is generally harmless and will actually ease some of the pain because it relieves pressure in the ear. The eardrum itself will heal naturally. In some cases, infants develop recurrent infections and a doctor will prescribe preventative low dose antibiotics to help prevent these.
Considerations
Babies who use a pacifier may be more likely to get ear infections, according to Baby Center. The March of Dimes recommends breastfeeding and giving a baby all of the standard childhood vaccinations as well getting an annual seasonal influenza vaccination to help prevent the infections that lead to otitis media. Keeping the baby's environment free of dust and cigarette smoke can also aid in preventing ear infections.
