Table 1.

Characteristics of children with acute otitis media on day of entry into study by treatment. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise

Characteristics	Antibiotic treatment allocated		Difference
	Immediate (n=151)	Delayed (n=164)
Mean (SE) prior duration of illness (days)	1.48 (0.07)	1.46 (0.10)	t=0.22, P=0.82
Aged >3 years	93 (62)	93 (57)	χ2=0.68, P=0.41
Perforated ear drum	13 (9)	11 (7)	χ2=0.41, P=0.42
Bulging ear drum	69 (46)	77 (47)	χ2=0.01, P=1.00
Red ear drum*	115/147 (78)	133/163 (82)	χ2=0.55, P=0.46

^*Erythema more than injection of malleus or rim.