Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Roy Grant, MA¹, Lourdes Lynch, PhD², and Sharon Joseph, MD². (1) The Children's Health Fund, 215 West 125th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027, 212-535-9400, rgrant@chfund.org, (2) Community Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, 317 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021

Studies exploring the potential association between otitis media (OM) and developmental delay have had mixed results. To explore this relationship in a population of high-risk (homeless) children, we reviewed electronic health records for patients <60 months old (N=333) identified by their pediatrician and diagnosed by a psychologist with developmental problems at the New York Children's Health Project (NYCHP), a service of The Children's Health Fund. Comparison was made with results of our random chart review of patients <60 months old (N= 317). Demographics: 58% Black, 40% Hispanic, 2% other. Mean ages: 35 months (referred patients); 24 months (comparison). Results: Overall OM prevalence in the referred population was 42%; for patients 3-23 months old it was 50%; for 24-59 months old, 34%. In the comparison sample, OM prevalence was lower to a statistically significantly degree: overall, 31% (p<.01); 3-23 months, 35% (p<.01); 24-59 months, 21% (p<.05). Prevalence of low birth weight and elevated lead levels were <5% in both samples. Anemia was not significantly associated with developmental delay. Domestic violence exposure did not differ significantly (39% referred vs. 35% comparison). Conclusions: In this large sample of high-risk young children, otitis media was significantly associated with developmental delay. Persistence of OM into early childhood may be a contributing factor. These findings suggest that OM is best understood as a risk factor rather than a cause for developmental delay. Our findings are consistent with the understanding that risk factors have a cumulative impact and that the impact of OM may be environmentally mediated.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will
• better understand the nature of the relationship between recurrent otitis media and developmental delays;
• be better able to interpret studies that explore this relationship; and
• be better able to target developmental surveillance in pediatric settings

Keywords: Children's Health, Disability Studies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation