Table 2

Guideline recommendations in included studies

Study ID	Country	Year	Condition	Guideline recommendation (summary)
Tyrstrup et al14	Sweden	2010	Children 1–12 years with uncomplicated AOM	First line	Wait-and-see for 3 days
Tyrstrup et al14	Sweden	2010	Children 1–12 years with uncomplicated AOM	Second line	Penicillin V (first choice antibiotic)
Palma et al11	Italy	2010	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	First line	Analgesics, wait-and-see for 3 days
Palma et al11	Italy	2010	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	Second line	First choice: high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day) Second choice: cephalosporin
			Children 6 months–2 years with uncomplicated AOM Children >2 years with severe AOM*	First line	First choice: high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day) Second choice: cephalosporin
Levy et al9	France	2011	Children >2 years with uncomplicated AOM	First line	Wait-and-see, reassessment after 48–72 hours
Levy et al9	France	2011	Children >2 years with uncomplicated AOM	Second line	High-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day)
			Children <2 years with uncomplicated AOM Children >2 years with severe AOM*	First line	High-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day)
				Second line	Amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid or cefpodoxime in case of treatment failure
McGrath et al10	USA	2004	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	First line	Analgesics, wait-and-see for 3 days
McGrath et al10	USA	2004	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	Second line	First choice: high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day) Second choice: cephalosporin
			Children 6 months–2 years with uncomplicated AOM Children >2 years with severe AOM*	First line	First choice: high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day) Second choice: cephalosporin
Coco et al8	USA	2004	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	First line	Analgesics, wait-and-see for 3 days
Coco et al8	USA	2004	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	Second line	First choice: high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day) Second choice: cephalosporin
			Children 6 months–2 years with uncomplicated AOM Children >2 years with severe AOM*	First line	First choice: high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg per kg per day) Second choice: cephalosporin
Thompson et al13	UK	2003 2004	Children >2 years with uncomplicated, non-severe AOM	First line	Analgesics, wait-and-see for 24–72 hours
Thompson et al13	UK	2003 2004		Second line	Amoxicillin thrice daily 125–250 mg, for 5 days Second choice: erythromycin, azithromycin or clarithromycin
			Children <2 years or severe AOM or recurrent infections	First line	Amoxicillin thrice daily 125–250 mg, for 5 days
Rios, et al12	Spain	2001	Children >6 months with uncomplicated AOM	First line	High-dose amoxicillin for a minimum of 5 days
Rios, et al12	Spain	2001	Children >6 months with uncomplicated AOM	Second line	Amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid or ceftriaxone if no response within 48–72 hours
			Children <6 months with uncomplicated AOM Children >6 months with severe AOM	First line	Amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid or ceftriaxone
				Second line	Tympanocentesis and treatment according to results of Gram staining and antibiotic sensitivity

*Severe AOM is defined as moderate to severe otalgia with fever >39°C.
AOM, acute otitis media; N/A, not available.