Otitis Media With Effusion in Patients With Cleft Palate

This article reviews otitis media with effusion (OME) in children with cleft palate (CP), the current evidence and recommendations regarding management of OME in cleft palate with a focus on interdisciplinary communication, and the impact this condition has on patients and caregivers. OME is nearly ubiquitous in children with CP due to the anatomical variation of the palatal musculature and resultant Eustachian tube dysfunction. If untreated, OME can negatively affect hearing, speech development, cognitive development, and social integration. Patients with CP have the potential to be negatively impacted by the otologic, cognitive, and psychosocial consequences of untreated chronic OME if not actively managed for this condition. Multidisciplinary management, appropriate intervention, shared decision-making, and appropriate surveillance optimize the wellbeing, cognitive development, and social progression of CP patients with OME.