Outhoff, Kim2016-03-082016-03-082015Outhoff, K 2015, 'Grommets', South African Family Practice, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 14-17.2078-6190 (print)2078-6204 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/51716Children younger than 7 years are at increased risk of otitis media because of their immature immune systems and poorly functioning eustachian tubes that normally ventilate the middle ear space and equalize pressure with the external environment. More than 80% of children have at least one episode of acute otitis media (AOM) before the age of 3 years and 40% experience six or more recurrences by the time they are 7 years old.en© 2015 The Author(s). Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0].ChildrenImmature immune systemsEustachian tubesAcute otitis media (AOM)Article