Written by Jessica Patella, ND. A combination of oral supplements with immune-stimulating molecules reduced inflammation of the upper airway tract and improved otitis-media with effusion (OME) in children.
Acute otitis media, commonly known as ear infections, are the second most common reason a child is brought to the doctor 1. Around 60-85% of children have an ear infection in their first year of life and it is the most common reason for prescribing antimicrobial drugs 1. Infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses and include symptoms of earache, discharge from the ear, hearing loss, ear popping, ear fullness, dizziness, fever 1. About 80-90% of children will recover within 3-days and some take up to 7-days 1. A recent study found oral immune supplements can help children with recurrent episodes of ear infections 2.
One of the main concerns with ear infections in children in hearing loss 2. Hearing loss can become more substantial as an ear infection worsens and causes mucus or fluid in the ear (OME) 2. The main treatment is antibiotics, yet it remains controversial because antibiotics do not prevent future infections or decrease long-term hearing loss 1. The main cause of ear infections in children are upper airway infections, or “colds”, therefore it was thought supplementing children with immune-support vitamins, may help decrease the incidence of ear infections 2.
The participants included children with otitis media (with effusion) who were less than 8 years of age. Otitis media was evaluated by a pediatric otolaryngologist with over 10 years of experience (making the study single blind). All participants were then divided randomly by the doctor into 1 of 4 groups:
- Group 1: 10 mL oral solution immune support (Sambucus nigra, Zinc, Tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus, Arabinogalactans, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C) for 10 days, then no treatment for 20-days; repeated for 3-months
- Group 2: 10 ml oral solution immune support daily for 90-days
- Group 3: 15 ml oral solution immune support daily for 45-days
- Group 4: control group of standard treatment only (nasal wash with Fluticasone, a mucolytic agent and hypertonic solution).
The results were as follows:
- All children treated with the oral solution immune support show a reduction in the number of Upper Airway Infections and Otitis Media with Effusion compared to the control group, regardless of dose.
- The three groups treated with oral solution immune support showed statistical improvements between baseline and the end of the study for otoscopy, tympanometry, fibroendoscopy and Pure Tone Audiometry (p<0.01 for all).
- In Group 2 the otoscopy and tympanometry scores improved significantly at first follow-up (p<0.0001 for both) compared to baseline.
In conclusion, immune support vitamins were shown to be helpful in children with recurrent ear infections. Researchers suggested it should be used for both upper airway infections and otitis media with effusion. Future research on the mechanism of action of all the nutrients in the oral immune support supplement were suggested 2.
Source: Della Volpe, A., G. Ricci, M. Ralli, V. Gambacorta, A. De Lucia, A. Minni, C. Pirozzi, M. Paccone, V. Pastore, and A. Di Stadio. “The effects of oral supplements with Sambucus nigra, Zinc, Tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA122), Arabinogalactans, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin C in otitis media with effusion in children: A randomized controlled trial.” Eur. Rev. Med. Pharm. Sci 23 (2019): 6360-6370.
Posted April 5, 2021.
References:
- Worrall G. Acute otitis media. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien. 2007;53(12):2147-2148.
- Della Volpe A, Ricci G, Ralli M, et al. The effects of oral supplements with Sambucus nigra, Zinc, Tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA122), Arabinogalactans, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin C in otitis media with effusion in children: a randomized controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019;23(14):6360-6370.
