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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Xylitol for Preventing Acute Otitis Media in Children Up to 12 Years of Age

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: The Cochrane Collaborative

Last Reviewed: August 2016

Workgroups: Hearing and Other Sensory or Communication Disorders Workgroup

In this Cochrane systematic review, the Cochrane Collaborative found that xylitol can reduce the occurrence of acute otitis media in healthy children age 12 years and younger who don’t have an upper respiratory infection. The review included studies in which healthy children, children with respiratory infections, or children prone to otitis took xylitol — a natural, non-sugar sweetener. Xylitol was given to children in the form of chewing gum, lozenges, or syrup. Researchers found inconclusive evidence on the effectiveness of xylitol to prevent acute otitis media among children with respiratory infection or in those prone to otitis.

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Objectives related to this resource (1)

Reduce ear infections in children — HOSCD‑04
Baseline only

Suggested Citation

1.

Azarpazhooh, A., Lawrence, H. P., & Shah, P. S. (2016). Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2016 (8). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007095.pub3.