Use of NSAIDs in pediatric ENT infections: SFORL guidelines

The French Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery has released practice guidelines concerning the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in pediatric ENT infections. Based on a critical analysis of the medical literature up to November 2016, a multidisciplinary workgroup of 11 practitioners wrote clinical practice guidelines. The guidelines have appeared in the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.

The current guidelines for treating children with ear infections have an emphasis on avoiding antibiotics where possible. In very young children (under 6 months, or both ears under 2 years old) or severe cases typically antibiotics are given. The other cases, non-severe in somewhat older children may be given "watchful waiting" where the child's clinical course is followed carefully and antibiotics can be started later if needed but not right away. This delay is because most ear infections are caused by viruses- these are not helped at all by antibiotics. Ibuprofen is the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the treatment of inflammation, mild-to-moderate pain and fever in children, and is the only NSAID approved for use in children aged ≥3 months. Its efficacy and safety profile have led to its increasing use in paediatric care,