Infants and young children are more likely to get ear infections. The size and shape of their eustachian tubes make it easier for fluid to build up. Ear infections occur most often in children between three months and three years of age. Also, the younger a child is at the time of the first ear infection, the greater the chance he or she will have repeated infections. Although researchers are not sure why, boys have more ear infections than girls.
Ear infections can run in families.
Children are more likely to have repeated middle-ear infections if a parent or sibling also had repeated ear infections. Colds often lead to ear infections. Children in group childcare settings have a higher chance of passing their colds to each other because they are exposed to more germs and viruses from the other children. Allergies that cause stuffy noses can also lead to ear infections. Children who breathe in someone else's tobacco smoke have a higher risk of developing health problems, including ear infections.