Acupuncture Effect on Inflammatory Markers in Pediatric Otitis Media With Effusion: A Pilot Study

Objective: to evaluate acupunctures effect on inflammatory markers in pediatric Otitis Media with Effusion Methods: 100 Children with otitis media with effusion (OME) diagnosis, who are in watchful waiting for 3 month, will be randomized in two groups: acupuncture and control. 50 Children in the acupuncture group will receive standard treatment combined with acupuncture for 3 months. 50 Children in the control group will receive standard treatment only, for the same time period. After 3 months, both groups will be reassessed for OME. Children with no improvement from both groups will be assigned for tympanostomy. Data collection: in children undergoing tympanostomy, middle ear effusion (MEE) will be collected, analyzed and evaluated for group differences.