The impact of birth weight and gestational age on acute mastoiditis in children

Objective: Previous data correlate preterm and low birth weight (LBW) with acute otitis media, but there is a gap concerning the relations with acute mastoiditis (AM). This study investigates the effect of LBW and preterm birth on AM disease severity, neuro-otological complications, and recurrence. Study design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Tertiary medical center. Methods: The cohort is retrospective in nature consisting of 294 children with AM admitted between 1999 and 2020. Data collection included: patient gestational age and birth weight, signs and symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and long-term outcomes. Results: 294 cases of AM were included, 41/281 (15%) had LBW (< 2500 g), and 46/294 (15.7%) were preterm (gestational age < 37 weeks). We found no significant differences in laboratory tests, imaging studies (CT), rate of mastoidectomy performed, or late complications between LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) and between preterm and normal gestational age children. LBW children tended to develop AM at an older age compared with NBW children, 2.28 + 1.64 Vs. 1.84 + 1.4 years, respectively (p-value = 0.016). Additionally, preterm children were more prone to develop a second event of AM, with a shorter interval between these episodes. Conclusions: LBW and preterm birth are not independent risk factors for disease severity, need for intervention, or future complications in AM. Yet, LBW children present with AM at an older age, and preterm children are more prone for recurrent episodes of AM with a shorter interval between episodes suggesting a distinct disease course in these populations.