Q My child keeps getting ear infections. Why is otitis media more common in children?
A In children the eustachian tube is short and horizontal, so even a simple cold lets bacteria reach the middle ear easily, and an immature digestive function also makes phlegm-fluid form readily.
Detailed Answer
Why Otitis Media Is Frequent in Children
Infants and young children are especially prone to otitis media because of the structural features of the eustachian tube combined with an immature immune system.
- Eustachian tube structure — A child's eustachian tube is shorter (about 1.8 cm vs. 3.5 cm) and more horizontal than an adult's. This allows bacteria in the nasopharynx to migrate easily into the middle ear.
- Group childcare settings — Repeated exposure to upper respiratory viruses at daycare and kindergarten.
- Immune immaturity — Between 6 months and 2 years of age, maternal antibodies decline while the child's own immunity is not yet fully developed.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In children the Spleen qi (bigi) is still immature, so digestion of food and metabolism of body fluids are incomplete. As a result, phlegm-fluid forms easily and blocks the eustachian tube. At Dongjedang, we combine clearing the Lung and transforming phlegm (cheongpye-hwadam) with strengthening of the Spleen qi to reduce the frequency of recurrence.
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