This evidence-based clinical practice guideline aims to assist primary care clinicians in the Diagnosis And Management Of Acute Otitis Media (AOM) in children aged 6 months through 12 years. It is a revision of the 2004 guideline from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians and offers updated recommendations for uncomplicated AOM. Developed in collaboration with experts and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, this guideline is based on a comprehensive review of literature since 2000.
The primary focus of this guideline is to provide clinicians with a framework for the appropriate diagnosis and initial treatment strategies for children presenting with AOM. It emphasizes a stringent definition of AOM to ensure accurate diagnosis. Key areas addressed include effective pain management techniques, guidance on initial observation versus immediate antibiotic treatment, and recommendations for appropriate antibiotic agent selection when necessary. Furthermore, this updated guideline expands upon the previous version to include preventive measures and addresses the complexities of recurrent AOM.
Recommendations within this guideline are formulated through a systematic grading of evidence quality and careful consideration of benefit-harm relationships. The guideline underwent thorough peer review by experts before its formal approval by the AAP, ensuring its clinical validity and reliability. While this clinical practice guideline serves as a valuable resource, it is intended to support, not replace, the clinical judgment of primary care physicians. It is designed to be a helpful framework for clinical decision-making in the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media, recognizing that it may not encompass the only suitable approach for all children with this common condition.
