Islander glue ear a concern

By ANGELA GREGORY

Pacific Island toddlers have more than three times the national rate of glue ear, researchers have discovered.

More than 70 per cent of Pacific Island 2-year-olds failed screening tests for glue ear, according to the preliminary results of ground-breaking research.

The research by the Auckland University of Technology's faculty of health, led by Dr Janis Paterson and Professor Phil Silva, is part of a longitudinal study into Pacific Island families in South Auckland.

For the past nine months researchers have studied the nature and prevalence of ear disease, and in particular otitis media with effusion (OME or glue ear), in 1000 2-year-old Pacific Island children.

A Pacific Island assessor tested the children in their homes. Those who failed the screening assessment were then referred to the Manukau Superclinic for a specialist ear assessment and any necessary treatment.

Professor Silva said that earlier New Zealand studies suggested that 20 per cent would fail the screening test and be referred to the clinic.

However, more than three times that number, 71 per cent, failed the screening test and were referred. Half were confirmed as having an ear abnormality.

Professor Silva said the data suggested that between 30 and 40 per cent of the group would have an ear abnormality and between 20 and 30 per cent would have glue ear.

"This is more than three times the rate found in the only other New Zealand epidemiological study of ear disease," he said.

Glue ear is well known as a cause of long-term developmental disadvantage and behavioural problems.

Professor Silva said that if children had glue ear in both ears, their reading ability would be reduced by an average of two years for the first 10 years of their schooling.

Early detection and treatment could prevent these long-term problems. "This has important implications for the planning and delivery of services and requires the injection of significant resources to deal with the problem in young Pacific people."

Herald feature: Health