What are the grades of otitis media in children? How to determine each level?
Childhood otitis media is mainly classified into four grades, primarily based on the severity of the child’s otitis media. Grade one is mild otitis media, grade two is moderate otitis media, grade three is severe otitis media, and grade four is suppurative otitis media.
- Grade One: If childhood otitis media is caused by an upper respiratory tract infection and the inflammation is not severe, with only mild ear symptoms such as pain, slight discharge, and no perforation of the eardrum, it falls into grade one otitis media.
- Grade Two: Childhood otitis media is considered moderate, showing mild ear symptoms like pain, discharge, and hearing loss. The eardrum is normal, with no perforation, categorizing it as grade two otitis media.
- Grade Three: If childhood otitis media is caused by acute suppurative otitis media, and the child experiences eardrum perforation, discharge, or recurrent episodes of acute suppurative otitis media, it falls into grade three otitis media.
It is recommended for children to maintain hygiene in daily life, avoid noisy environments, enhance nutrition, adopt a mild diet, and follow medical advice for medication. Avoid self-medicating or adjusting medication without professional guidance to prevent worsening the condition.
- Grade Four: If childhood otitis media is caused by suppurative otitis media, and the child experiences symptoms like hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, or if eardrum perforation occurs during the course of acute suppurative otitis media, it is classified as grade four otitis media.
