Ear infection is one of the most common problems in the babies. It mostly occurs in the middle ear when the tubes inside the ears become blocked with fluid and mucus. The ear infections can cause several problems in the babies among which hearing problem is the most prominent one.
As a result of the blockage of tubes, sound cannot get through and this gives rise to hearing problems. Most of the children develop ear infections in the first 2 to 4 years of life, which can result from several reasons. In case of babies, the middle ear gets more affected by the bacteria and viruses and as the tubes in the ear are narrower and less stiff, the blockage is more likely to occur.
The immune systems in children, who are under the age of seven, do not develop fully and, therefore, they face more problems in fighting infections. Several other factors for children getting ear infections are bottle-feeding, exposure to cigarette smoke, day-care attendance, etc. The boys suffer more from ear infection than girls do. A child who belongs to a family with a history of ear infection is prone to this problem than others. Moreover, children are the most affected by the ear infection during winter season.
There are some typical signs and symptoms of ear infections among the babies, which can range from very mild to severe. These include earache, trouble while sleeping, crying more than usual, eating less than the normal amount, hearing difficulties, not responding to soft sounds, talking louder, appearing to be inattentive, etc.
In most of the cases, the ear infection affects the middle ear and is called ‘otitis media’. Some of the other symptoms of acute ‘otitis media’ are fever, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. The ear infections are not contagious. Babies suffering from ear infections can have a cough and runny or stuffy nose as in most of the cases the ear infection is associated with the upper respiratory tract infections.
With the help of changed lifestyle, the risk of developing ear infection among babies can be minimized. Feed your baby with breast milk for at least 6 months, this will help the baby prevent the ear infection.
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While feeding a child from bottle hold the infant at an angle and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke to lessen the severity of ear infection. On suspecting ear infection, take your baby to a child specialist for diagnosis and physical exam so that specific treatment can be provided.
To know more on hearing problems in babies, browse through the pages of Pregnancyxl.com.
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