Epidemiology of chronic suppurative otitis media in Saudi children.

An epidemiological survey was carried out in Riyadh to establish the prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media in Saudi children. 6421 children aged 2 months to 12 years were examined clinically, their ears were inspected by otoscopic examination by an ENT specialist, and the evaluation of hearing was undertaken by an audiologist using a memory screening audiometer (Madson 84-11). Ninety-four children (1.5%) had chronic ear disease being of the following types: congenital cholesteatoma (n = 1), acquired cholesteatoma and posterosuperior retraction (n = 5), and central perforation (n = 88), 16 of which had active ear discharge. These results were compared with other results in developed and developing countries. The factors predisposing to or associated with chronic ear disease such as environmental, genetic, congenital ear anomalies and cleft palate have been discussed.