A five-year study of almost 500 Dutch children suggests that parents should avoid using a dummy in infants who are prone to ear infections.
Scientifically known as acute otitis media, ear infections are very common in young children and
the researchers from University Medical Center, Utrecht said some previous studies had found a link between dummy use and ear infections but they had not been very accurate.
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.
The researchers said results suggested that the first infection may increase susceptibility to future ear infections, while the use of a dummy (pacifier) may allow bacteria to more easily migrate from secretions in the nose to the middle ear.
Source: BBC News, 20 June 2008
Chapter: Health :: 3 July 2008
