Antibiotics speed a child’s recovery from ear infections

Re “Ear Infection Guidelines: Be Patient” (March 22): The guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians aim to reduce overuse of antibiotics that may lead to bacterial resistance.

At first glance this appears to be a noble goal, but taking a “wait-and-see” approach, as suggested by the guidelines, is not in the interests of children with acute ear infections.

Yes, it is true that most children will recover from an ear infection without antibiotics, but the published clinical trials found that children get better faster if they take antibiotics for their ear infections.

The medical evidence does not show that children who take pain medications do just as well.

Parents should be wary of these recommendations. If their child really has an ear infection, and does not receive antibiotics, the child will probably be in pain for at least a day and night longer, as a result.

If there is an accurate diagnosis of otitis media, a child should receive antibiotics regardless of the child’s age.

Unnecessary antibiotic use for the common cold and viral infections should be eliminated.

This is the correct approach for reducing antibiotic use. Withholding antibiotics from children who really have ear infections is not.

Dr. Colin D. Marchant

Departments of Pediatrics

Boston University School

of Medicine

Tufts University School

of Medicine