Soothers May Cause Ear Infections

Parents should avoid giving a soother to young children who are prone to ear infections, research suggests.

The research, reported on BBC Health, quotes a 5-year study of almost 500 Dutch children under 4 years of age. Almost half regularly used a soother. The study found that those who used a soother had twice the risk of recurrent ear infections.

The researchers explained the findings by suggesting that sucking a soother may allow bacteria to move more easily from the nose to the middle ear.

Infection of the middle ear (the space between the eardrum and the inner ear) is also called otitis media. Middle ear infection is a very common childhood illness. About two thirds of children will have a least one middle ear infection by age three, and a third of these children will have at least three infections.

Study leader, Dr Maroeska Rovers, said doctors should advise parents not to give soothers to their children if they have a history of ear infections.

The report is published in Family Practice journal.

Posted Thursday 26th June 2008