Interventions for prevention of otitis media may be most effective if implemented in the first weeks of life

Onset of otitis media between 3 and 6 weeks of life was associated with a significant increase in all major bacterial OM pathogens (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis), as well as total bacterial load in the nasopharynx. Interventions to prevent acquisition of multiple OM pathogens in the first weeks of life are needed.