Recurrent otitis media in the fragile X syndrome
R. J. Hagerman, D. Altshul-Stark and P. McBogg
Thirty prepubertal boys with fragile X syndrome (fra[X]) were evaluated
retrospectively to document the incidence of recurrent otitis media by
physician records. The number of documented otitis media infections in the
first five years of life was statistically more than those of the normal
male siblings and of unrelated, cytogenetically normal controls. Nineteen
(63%) of the 30 boys with fra(X) experienced six or more otitis infections.
Of the 30 boys with fra(X), 13 (43%) were treated with polyethylene tubes
or prophylactic antibiotics for persistent middle ear effusion. Males with
fra(X) are at high risk for recurrent ear disease, which may exacerbate the
cognitive, language, and behavior problems that exist in this syndrome.
