Background: Acute otitis media is considered as one of the most frequent childhood inflammatory disorders.
Aim of the work: This study aimed to investigate the possible link between iron deficiency anemia and acute episodes on top of chronic otitis media.
Patient and methods: This prospective study is included pediatric patients who attend the ENT outpatient clinic in Mallawi Hospital, El Minia; El Azhar University _Assuit, from July 2019 to June 2020. A total of 100 patients of age Group up to 18 years old and both sexes suffering from recurrent otitis media divided into Group A: Included 34 children treated with iron supplementation three months, Group B: Included 33 children treated with iron supplementation and medical treatment three months.Group C: Included 33 children treated with medical treatment for three months.
Results: In group A the change of hemoglobin level from [10.15 ± 0.33] to [11.41 ± 0.43] decreasing occurrence rate of CSOM from 3.47± 0.51 to 1.41± 0.49 with statistically significant difference [p <0.001].In group B, the change of Hb level from [10. ± 0.32] to [11.48 ± 0.29] decreasing occurrence rate of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media from 33.42 ± 0.92 to 1.39± 0.56 with statistically significant difference [p <0.001].In group C, the change of Hb level from [10.03 ± 0.43] to [10.09± 0.31] decreasing occurrence rate of CSOM from 3.39±0.66 to 2.33± 0.48 with statistically significant difference [p <0.001].
Conclusions: The combination of iron and medical treatment in anemic patients can improve hemoglobin level and significantly decrease otitis media's occurrence rate.