Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Health Update: Girls and glue ear

Cherrill Hicks
Monday 31 May 1993 23:02 BST
Comments

GLUE EAR in girls may not need surgery because the condition gets better without treatment more quickly than it does in boys, according to researchers at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. In a study of 78 children with hearing problems caused by middle ear infection, they compared one group who had grommets inserted (both with and without removal of the adenoids) with another who had nothing done surgically. After six months only the boys who had undergone surgery showed any benefits. Surgery in girls, the researchers conclude in the Journal of Laryngology and Otology, should be considered with greater caution, since it is likely that 'natural resolution is quicker than in boys'.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in