Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of 240 children randomised in trial of antibiotic use for treatment of acute otitis media. Figures are numbers of children except for mean age
| Characteristic | Amoxicillin (n=117) | Placebo (n=123) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean age (months) | 13.3 | 13.3 |
| Male | 64 | 66 |
| Breastfed for >6 months | 21 | 22 |
| >2 children in family | 30 | 25 |
| Season of inclusion (Oct-March) | 76 | 79 |
| Smoking in household | 46 | 39 |
| Attendance at day care centre | 28 | 19 |
| Medical history: | ||
| Recurrent URTI | 37 | 33 |
| Recurrent AOM in family | 26 | 33 |
| Allergy | 14 | 9 |
| Recurrent AOM | 33 | 50 |
| Clinical presentation: | ||
| >3 days complaints | 57 | 54 |
| Earache | 82 | 82 |
| Fever | 79 | 80 |
| Perforation | 18 | 21 |
| Bilateral AOM | 75 | 76 |
| Bulging ear drum | 26 | 29 |
URTI=upper respiratory tract infection.
AOM=acute otitis media.