Children: antibiotics unhelpful against many ear infections

Antibiotic treatment for children with ear infections is not helpful in all cases, a new study has found. The report, which appears in the Oct. 21 issue of The Lancet, analyzed data from six studies and included more than 1,600 children from 6 months to 12 years old. In a few cases, researchers found, antibiotics were useful. Fifty-five percent of untreated children under 2 with infections in both ears still had pain or fever after three to seven days, while only 30 percent of those given antibiotics did. But treating infants who had infection in only one ear was ineffective — 40 percent of untreated children under 2 still had pain after three to seven days, and so did 35 percent of those who received antibiotics. In children older than 2, antibiotics were generally unhelpful. Twenty-six percent of untreated children still had pain or fever after three to seven days, and so did 19 percent of children who received treatment.

Courtesy NY Times

Steve - this is not really news, because we have cited several studies over the last few years that have found similar results. The reason we are posting this is to remind you to be cautious with the use of antibiotics.