Table 2.

Outcome of 28 AOM cases that were managed with watchful waiting

AOM a	n	Outcome at follow up exam	n	Median day between exams	Remarks
Mild (OS 2–3)	15	Improved	10	3 b	Evidence of MEF by follow up tympanogram 2–29 days later
		Same	1	2	New URI episode with AOM 14 days later
		Progressed	2	5	Worsening of the contralateral ear, one later received antibiotic treatment
		No exam	2		Clinically improved per home visit & parent's report
Moderate (OS 4–5)	13	Improved	7	4 c	Evidence of MEF by follow-up tympanogram in 5 cases, 12–24 days later
		Progressed	2	6 d	Received antibiotic 5 and 7 days later
		No exam	4		Two clinically improved per parents, one received tympanostomy tubes 7 days later, one lost to follow-up

^a.AOM severity: OS score 0–1=no AOM, 2–3=mild AOM, 4–5=moderate AOM, ≥6=severe AOM.

^b.Range 1–7 days

^c.Range 2–12 days

^d.Range 5–7 days