Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

Why are young children more likely to get ear infections compared to older children?

1. Young infants are obligate nose breathers

2. Young children have longer Eustachian tubes

3. Young children have Eustachian tubes that are more horizontally positioned

4. Young children are less likely to complete their course of oral antibiotics

The correct answer is: Young children have Eustachian tubes that are more horizontally positioned

Young children are more likely to experience ear infections due to the anatomical structure and positioning of their Eustachian tubes. In infants and young children, the Eustachian tubes are positioned more horizontally compared to older children and adults. This horizontal orientation makes it easier for pathogens from the nasopharynx to reach the middle ear, leading to infections. Furthermore, the shorter length of the tubes also contributes to their susceptibility, as it allows bacteria and viruses to travel more easily from the throat to the ear. It's important to note that as children grow, their Eustachian tubes gradually become longer and more angled, which helps reduce the risk of infections by allowing better drainage of the middle ear. The other options, while they may mention important factors related to infant anatomy and health, do not specifically address the primary reason for the increased incidence of ear infections in young children compared to older children.