What do systematic reviews say?

Oral steroids vs control

Summary of findings: oral steroids showed no clear difference in OME resolution at intermediate‐term compared with control (moderate certainty).

• Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children 2011 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.54 [0.76, 3.14]
  3 studies · 106 participants
  Moderate

Summary of findings: oral steroids plus antibiotic vs control plus antibiotic

• Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children 2011 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  1.44 [0.97, 2.13]
  2 studies · 231 participants
  High

Summary of findings: intranasal steroids plus oral antibiotic vs control plus antibiotic

Summary of findings: intranasal steroids plus oral antibiotic showed no clear difference in OME resolution at intermediate‐term compared with control plus antibiotic (moderate certainty).

• Oral or topical nasal steroids for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children 2011 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.26 [0.54, 2.96]
  1 study · 59 participants
  Moderate