Infants are typically susceptible to reoccurring, or chronic, ear infections for several reasons. Immaturity of the immune system, underdevelopment of inner-ear mechanisms and allergies tend to be the principal culprits. Immediate treatment for infant ear infections is imperative because of the corrosive nature of the bacteria. Hearing loss, sepsis or other severe consequences may arise as a result of untreated ear infections in infants.
Otitis Media
Otitis media is the medical name for inflammation of the middle ear. This happens when a tube --- the Eustachian tube --- that drains fluid from this area of the ear is inflamed and swells to the point where it cannot drain any fluid. Blockage of the Eustachian tube causes pressure to build in the inner ear, which results in pain, or "earache." The shortness of the tube facilitates infection because bacteria rapidly find their way to the middle ear. Fluid collection also prevents the tiny middle-ear bones from responding to sound, which is the reason for "muffled" hearing when someone has otitis media.
Symptoms of Infant Ear Infection
Because an infant isn't able to speak, parents should be aware of certain behaviors exhibited by the child to help discern if an ear infection exists. Symptoms to watch for are ear discharge, fever, upset stomach and vomiting, ear grabbing or pulling, redness or swelling of the outer ear and general malaise. In older infants who are able to sit upright, loss of balance may indicate a middle-ear infection, as the vestibular system is part of the inner ear. Infants who experience such symptoms for 24 hours should be taken to a physician for a complete examination.
Causes of Chronic Infant Ear Infections
In addition to possessing a vulnerable immune system, infants can suffer from reoccurring ear infections due to repeated upper-respiratory infections, living with secondhand smoke, formula feeding and genetic predisposition to otitis media. Cigarette smoke contains microscopic particle residue that can irritate and clog the Eustachian tube. Fluid congestion makes a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, exacerbated by the infant continuously inhaling smoke. Baby formula may also be a culprit, the BabyCenter website reports, because it does not contain the antibodies and nutrients that enrich breast milk.
Treatment
Treatment of ear infection generally consists of a round of antibiotics and making sure the infant remains hydrated. For chronic ear infections, implantation of tubes may be necessary to prevent ear mechanisms from continual exposure to harmful bacterial. This is a simple procedure performed as outpatient surgery, where the child usually goes home the same day the surgery is performed.
