Serous otitis media and allergy

Respiratory and/or food allergy is common in children. Serous otitis media is also very frequent in children, especially those between three and six years of age. On the other hand, in spite of promising animal Studies, a cause-and-effect relation between these two conditions in man has not been established. Concerning the treatment, avoidance of food allergens may be as efficacious for an active serous otitis media as for avoidance of a new episode. Conversely, antihistamines do not appear to be efficacious, at least with respect to being curative. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS.