Recurrent otitis media in children has been linked to which nutritional deficiency?

• A. Iron deficiency
• B. Vitamin B12 deficiency
• C. Vitamin C deficiency
• D. Calcium deficiency

Answer: (A)

Nutritional status, particularly iron, shapes susceptibility to infections by modulating immune function. Iron is essential for several immune processes: the activity of neutrophils and macrophages, the proliferation and function of T cells, and efficient antibody production. When iron stores are low, these immune responses are blunted, making it harder to clear bacteria that can cause otitis media. In addition, iron deficiency anemia reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, including the mucosal surfaces of the nasopharynx and middle ear, which can compromise local defenses and increase the likelihood of infections. In young children, whose Eustachian tubes are narrow and more prone to dysfunction, this weakened defense helps explain why recurrent otitis media is more common with iron deficiency. The other deficiencies listed don’t have as direct or well-established a link to recurrent middle-ear infections, though overall immune support comes from adequate nutrient status.