Affiliations: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of
Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
(Statistics), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Department of Immunology & Chemical Pathology,
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Department of Medical Microbiology &
Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos,
Lagos, Nigeria
Note: [] Corresponding author: O.A. Lasisi, Department of
Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan. Tel.: +234 805 536 9593; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this prospective study is to determine the
correlation between early suppurative otitis media (ESOM) and cord blood
concentrations of retinol, zinc, immunoglobulin G (Ig G) and interferon Gamma
(IFN-γ). Patients and Methods: Cord blood samples were obtained
from the umbilical vein after delivery of infants. Serum was extracted and
stored at −80°C and analyzed for retinol, zinc, Ig G and interferon
Gamma (IFN-γ). These infants were clinically followed for 12–18
months for the development of ESOM. Suppurative OM was defined by the
observation of purulent or mucoid otorrhoea at microotoscopy. Results: The study included 186 term infants, of which 69 (37% had at least one
episode of ESOM. Of these infants, 40 were males and 29 were females. The age
at development of ESOM was 14 ± 6.2 weeks, with a range between 3 weeks and
8 months. The gestational age at birth was 39 ± 0.2 weeks (range=31–43),
and birth weight was 3.1 – 0.45 Kg (range=1.25–4.3). The
mean neonatal serum concentrations among the cases and control subjects did not
differ for Ig G (1180 mg/ml vs. 1370.2 mg/ml, P=0.46), while they differed
for retinol (0.95 μg/L vs. 1.08 μg/, P < 0.01), for zinc (0.88
μ g/L vs. 1.05 μ g/L, P=0.01) and for IFN-γ (45.3 pg/ml
vs. l70.2 pg/ml, P < 0.01) respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that decreased concentrations of immunobiologic factors in cord blood can be a
contributing factor to the development of ESOM in infants during the first year
of life.
