Dummy use link to ear infections

LONDON - In a five-year study of almost 500 Dutch children, researchers found almost double the risk of recurrent ear infections in those who used a dummy.

Writing in the Family Practice journal they said doctors should advise parents of the risk.

Scientifically known as acute otitis media, ear infections are very common in young children.

Antibiotics do not generally work and the infection tends clear on its own within a few days but some children are prone to repeated bouts.

This is a very useful piece of research that shows use of dummies in children under the age of four who have a history of ear infections is not a good idea. The researchers from University Medical Center, Utrecht said some studies before had found a link between dummy use and ear infections but they had not been very accurate, BBC News reported.

Their research followed 476 children aged under four years, 216 of whom used a dummy.

There was a 90% increased risk of recurrent ear infections in those who sucked a dummy compared with those who did not.

(Agencies)