Ear Infections (Otitis Media) in Children (0-17): Use and Expenditures, 2006. Statistical Brief No. 228

摘要

Otitis media, also known as an ear infection, occurs in the space behind the eardrum, which is called the middle ear. Ear infections are more likely to occur after a cold, or other upper respiratory infection, has been present for a few days. This Statistical Brief presents estimates based on the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC) on the use of and expenditures for ambulatory care and prescribed medications to treat otitis media among children ages 0-17 in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Average annual estimates are shown by type of service and source of payment. All differences between estimates noted in the text are statistically significant at the 0.05 level or better.