Our ear immunity study has completed six years now and time for an update to share with you what we have found.
Over 600 children have participated in the study and about 400 children have completely finished. We have done over 8,000 nasal washes, nasal cultures, throat cultures and blood samples. 400 children have developed an ear infection where an ear tap was needed. We have had no complications.
We have found that by providing individualized ear care to the children in the study we have reduced the frequency of ear infections and the need for ear tubes significantly.
- for children in the study by the time they reach 30 months old, only 6% of the children experience recurrent ear infections.
- for children not in the study but are patients at Legacy Pediatrics by the time they reach 30 months of age 14% experience recurrent ear infections, 233% more frequently.
- for children at other practices in the Rochester community and not in the study by the time they reach 30 months of age, 27% experience recurrent ear infections, 450% more frequently.
- for children in the study by the time they reach 30 months of age 2% receive ear tubes.
- for children at Legacy Pediatrics not in the study by the time they reach 30 months of age 6% receive ear tubes, 300% higher.
- for children at other practices in the Rochester community and not in the study by the time they reach 30 months of age 15% receive ear tubes, 750% higher.
Therefore, we have shown that individualized care with an ear tap and personalized antibiotic selection reduces the occurrence or repeated ear infections and the need for ear tube surgery.
We hope you find this information useful and will consider encouraging other parents to join our important study.
Janet R Casey M.D. and Michael E Pichichero M.D.
