WHAT IS LEFT OF THE PREVENTION OF ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA (AND RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS): XYLITOL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Over the years, the prevention of episodes of upper respiratory tract infections and in particular of acute otitis media has always been discussed. A recent randomized controlled clinical trial has reproposed the evaluation of the efficacy of a natural sugar, xylitol. The results were not favourable, as the use of xylitol in children aged 1-5 years did not reduce the frequency of episodes of otitis and upper respiratory tract infection compared to placebo. The paper offers an opportunity to reflect and discuss the issue of the prophylaxis of “physiological” respiratory infections, which must always be evaluated in relation to the available evidence of efficacy: either regarding drugs or complementary medicine.