[Treatment of acute otitis media in infants using an amoxicillin-clavulanic acid formulation (in the form of an oral suspension for pediatric use)].

In a multicenter study, Augmentin pediatric suspension was given to 1,227 young children (3 months - 3 years) with otitis media seen in private practice. Patterns of otitis included first episodes, recurrences, and forms that had failed to respond to previous antimicrobial therapy. The study medication was given as a first-line treatment, on the basis of epidemiologic data, in a daily dose of 40 mg/kg for 7 to 10 days. In the 3 months to 3 years age group, two micro-organisms are prevalent, ie. Haemophilus influenzae, which is the most common agent and may produce beta-lactamases (10 to 18% of strains), and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Among our patients, the otitis-conjunctivitis syndrome caused by Haemophilus influenzae was fairly frequent (8.7% of cases). Clinical effectiveness as evaluated between D8 and D11 was good or very good in 91.2% of cases. Tolerance was satisfactory in 83% of patients. Side effects were uncommon and consisted primarily in gastrointestinal symptoms. We point out the potentially deleterious effect of concurrent anti-inflammatory treatment. Acceptability of the suspension was judged satisfactory by the parents in 91.6% of cases. Augmentin proved well-suited to epidemiologic data, outstandingly effective, well tolerated, and easy to use because of its presentation as a pediatric suspension; it is therefore an appropriate first-line drug in the common indication addressed in our study.