S252 – The Efficacy of Tympanostomy Tubes In Down Syndrome Patients

ObjectivesThe purpose of this report is to relate a single institution's experience with middle ear disease and the incidence and efficacy of tympanostomy tube (PET) insertion in children with Down syndrome.MethodsRetrospective chart review of 130 consecutive pediatric Down syndrome patients seen at a single tertiary care children's hospital between the years 2001–2007. Middle ear function, and speech and language development, is reported and those patients who underwent tympanostomy tube insertion for middle ear disease are analyzed.ResultsThe mean age of the patient population was 4.5 years, ranging from 8 months to 10 years. 41/130 patients (31.5%) were treated with tympanostomy tube insertion for middle ear disease. Of this group, 11/41 patients (26.8%) and 2/11 patients (18.1%) required second and third tube insertions, respectively, for persistent pathology and failed tube function. The mean age at first tube insertion was 3.3 years, while the mean age at second and third tube insertion was 6.9 and ...