Question:easy
Acute suppurative otitis media in children is most commonly caused by?
Acute suppurative otitis media in children is most commonly caused by?
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The leading middle-ear pathogen in children, ahead of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Pseudomonas
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: ASOM is a pus-forming middle-ear infection that peaks in early childhood because of the short, horizontal eustachian tube.
Step 2: Infection typically begins as a viral cold or throat infection and spreads up the eustachian tube to the middle ear, where bacteria take over.
Step 3: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial pathogen, with Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis next in line.
Step 4: The staphylococci and Pseudomonas listed are more typical of external ear or chronic ear disease, not the usual ASOM cause in children.
\[\boxed{\text{Streptococcus pneumoniae}}\]
Step 2: Infection typically begins as a viral cold or throat infection and spreads up the eustachian tube to the middle ear, where bacteria take over.
Step 3: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial pathogen, with Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis next in line.
Step 4: The staphylococci and Pseudomonas listed are more typical of external ear or chronic ear disease, not the usual ASOM cause in children.
\[\boxed{\text{Streptococcus pneumoniae}}\]
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