Prevalence Of Otitis Media In Aboriginal Children Of Pre-School Age In Three Northern Territory Rural Communities

Amongst children of preschool age in three Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory there were only seven of 425 ears (1.7%) with normal tympanic membrane mobility. Abnormal tympanograms without signs of inflammation were prevalent in the youngest infants studied. Tympanic membrane perforations were detected in 5/32 = 16% of infants at four to six months of age and in some 30% of ears of older children.