What age group is particularly susceptible to otitis media?

Infants and toddlers are particularly susceptible to otitis media due to several anatomical and physiological factors. The Eustachian tubes in young children are shorter and more horizontally positioned compared to older children and adults. This makes it easier for pathogens to reach the middle ear from the nasopharynx, especially during episodes of upper respiratory infections, which are common in this age group.

Moreover, the immune systems of infants and toddlers are still developing, which makes them less equipped to fight off infections that can lead to otitis media. Additionally, children in this age group spend more time in close proximity to each other, such as in daycare settings, increasing their exposure to respiratory pathogens.

As children grow older, their Eustachian tubes become longer and more angled, which reduces the risk of fluid accumulation in the middle ear and decreases the incidence of otitis media. Thus, while otitis media can affect individuals in various age groups, infants and toddlers remain the most vulnerable.