Otologic Disorders in Children: Our Experience in a Private Hospital Setting in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Otologic disorders have been found to be important health problems among children Worldwide. This study was done to establish the pattern of otologic disorders in children as seen in a private hospital setting in Port Harcourt Nigeria and to suggest measures to curb the menace posed by these diseases.

Patients and Methods: A prospective study of all children seen with otologic disorders in Kinx Medical Consultant clinic located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria over a 2 years period from January 2013 to December 2014. The following patients’ data were documented in a proforma and analyzed for age, gender, investigation results, diagnosis and treatment modalities. The data were entered into SPSS version 16 computer software and analyzed descriptively.

Results: A total of 85 patients presented with otologic disorders out of a total number of 650 cases seen in the clinic during the period of study, giving a prevalence of 13.08%. There were 35 males and 50 females giving M: F ratio of 1: 1.4. The age range was 6 months to 17 years with mean of (2.4 ± 1.6) years. The age range 2-4 years accounted for majority of the cases 35 (41.18%). Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media was the commonest condition seen 30 (35.29%), followed by hearing loss 15 (17.65%) and otomycosis 15 (17.65%). The commonest mode of treatment was conservative medical treatment 50 (58.8%). The patients with hearing loss were further sent for more audiological assessment in centres that have the appropriate facilities to carry out complete audiological assessment.

Conclusion: Chronic suppurative otitis media was the commonest otologic disorder found among children in our series. Meanwhile, conservative medical treatment was the commonest mode of treatment. It is important to put some effort into the training of otologists, provide all the relevant surgical equipments as well as carry out otologic health education by embarking on public enlightenment campaigns targeting parents and guardians.