Objective To study the age distribution characteristics of otitis media with effusion in children and provide a basis for the selection of the timing of tympanic membrane perforation repair in children. Methods: A total of 1915 children with otitis media with effusion who visited our hospital from 2017 to 2022 were collected and divided into 4 groups according to age, namely, infant group, preschool group, school-age group and adolescent group, to study the distribution characteristics of the age of onset of children with otitis media with effusion. Results: The peak age of children with otitis media with effusion in the preschool period of 4-6 years old was the peak age of children with otitis media with effusion. The number of visits for otitis media with effusion in children aged 7 years old showed an obvious decline "inflection point", and the number of visits for otitis media with effusion in adolescent children after the age of 13 years old tended to be stable. Conclusion: The incidence of otitis media with effusion in children decreased significantly after the age of 7, and the number of visits for otitis media with effusion in children aged 13 years was close to that of adults. This conclusion provides a theoretical basis for the timing of tympanic membrane perforation repair in children.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital. Approval number: 2019PHB109-01.

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