Title: Conjunctivitis-otitis syndrome<br/>Author: Mimi Lu<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/185/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
Although conjuncitivitis outside of the neonatal period is commonly caused by viruses, there are times when antibiotics are warranted due to bacterial infections, such as conjuncitivits-otitis syndrome.</p>
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up to 25% of patients with conjunctivitis have concurrent otitis media (even in the abscence of ear pain) and up to 73% of patients with purulent conjunctivitis</li>
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Non-typeable H. influenzae is the most common recovered bacteria.</li>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">For these patients, systemic (oral) antibiotics are recommended and the topical ophthalmic antibiotics are NOT necessary.</span></li>
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Antibiotics should cover beta-lactamase producing organisms, e.g. high dose amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (45 mg/kg BID; 600 mg/5mL concentration which is formulated to have less clavulanic acid</li>
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<u>Bottom line</u>: Every patient with conjunctivitis should have an examination of his/her TMs, as your management may change.</p>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<blockquote>
<p>
Teoh DL, Reynolds S. Diagnosis and management of pediatric conjunctivitis. Pediatric Emergency Care: 2003; 19(1), pp. 48-55.</p>
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Bodor FF, Marchant CD, Shurin PA, Barenkamp SJ. Bacterial etiology of conjunctivitis-otitis media syndrome. Pediatrics: 1985; 76(1), pp.26-28.</p>
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Bodor FF. Conjunctivitis-Otitis Syndrome. Pediatrics: 1982; 69(6), 695-698.</p>
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