Table 1.
Classification of otitis media
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Acute otitis media (AOM) | The rapid onset of signs and symptoms of inflammation of the middle ear |
| Symptoms include otalgia, irritability, insomnia, anorexia | |
| Signs include fever, otorrhea, full or bulging opaque TM, impaired TM mobility, TM erythema | |
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| |
| Recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) | Three or more well-documented and separate AOM episodes in the past 6 mo, or ≥4 well-documented and separate AOM episodes in the past 12 mo with ≥1 in the past 6 mo |
|
| |
| Otitis media with effusion (OME) | The presence of fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of acute ear infection (AOM) |
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| |
| Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) | OME persisting for ≥3 mo from the date of onset (if known) or from the date of diagnosis (if onset unknown) |