Clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of acute otitis media in children

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most prevalent acute conditions in the pediatric population worldwide. This work aimed to elaborate a Clinical Practice Guideline with clinical recommendations systematically developed to assist decision-making of specialists, patients, caregivers, and public policymakers involved in managing patients with AOM in children. Methods: This document was developed by the College of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology and Head, and Neck Surgery of Mexico (COPEME) in compliance with international standards. The SIGN quality of evidence classification was used. On behalf of the COPEME, the Guideline Development Group (GDG) was integrated, including otolaryngologists, infectologists, pediatricians, general practitioners, and methodologists with experience in systematic literature reviews and the development of clinical practice guidelines. Results: A consensus was reached on 18 clinical questions, covering what was previously established by the GDG in the scope document of the guidelines. Scientific evidence answering each of these clinical questions was identified and critically evaluated. The GDG agreed on the final wording of the clinical recommendations using the modified Delphi panel technique. Specialists and patient representatives conducted an external validation. Conclusions: This Clinical Practice Guideline presents clinical recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of AOM to assist shared decision-making among physicians, patients, and caregivers and improve the quality of clinical care.

Automated summary

This article introduces a Clinical Practice Guideline aiming to assist specialists, patients, caregivers, and public policymakers in managing acute otitis media in children. Through the evaluation of scientific evidence and consensus, clinical recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute otitis media are provided.