and Objectives:Inadequate antibody responses to pathogens in children may the increased susceptibility to acute otitis media. But it is not clear whether a correlation exists between otitis media with effusion and the presence the immunodeficiency of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE or not. Materials and Method:Fifty-six children with otitis media with effusion who had taken ventilation tube insertion and fifty two children for control group took part in the study at the Department

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... Otorhinolaryngology of the University of Kyung Hee from April 2004 to March 2003. Serum immunoglobulin levels were determined by nephelometry. And then the relationship between otitis media with effusion and immunodeficiency was evaluated. Result:No total IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE were detected below the normal level; however, IgG was low at aged 5-9 years and IgM was low at aged 1-9 years who had otitis media with effusion compared with those levels of control. Conclusion:Lower immunoglobulins in children with otitis media with effusion suggest a generalized decreased antibody responses. Immunodeficiency of serum IgM and IgG may concerned with chronicity or intractability of otitis media with effusion. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2006 ; 17:56-60) KEY WORDS:Otitis media with effusion·Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE).