A Trial of Early Ear Tube Placement in Children with Persistent Otitis Media

Abstract

This chapter provides a summary of a landmark study in pediatrics. Does early placement of ear tubes in young children with persistent otitis media lead to improved developmental outcomes (i.e., speech and language skills, cognition, and psychosocial development)? Starting with that question, it describes the basics of the study, including funding, study location, who was studied, how many patients, study overview, study intervention, follow-up, endpoints, results, and criticism and limitations. The chapter briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, discusses implications, and concludes with a relevant clinical case.