Minimal brain dysfunction and otitis media.

The frequency of otitis media among 22 hyperactive children with learning disorders was compared with the frequency of otitis media in a sample of 772 normal children, using the same criteria for the diagnosis of otitis media in both groups. The groups were matched for social class and age when studied (7 to 13 yr. of age). A significantly higher percentage of hyperactive children (54%) had more than 6 episodes of otitis media than was found in the normal group (15%). Thirty-six % of hyperactive children had more than 10 episodes compared to 5% in the normal sample. There was no difference in the percentage of children with no episodes of otitis media (18%). Several alternative hypotheses are offered as possible mechanisms to account for these data.