Work

Otitis Externa in a Newborn After Waterbirth—A Case Report Followed by a Literature Review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Waterbirth has become a widely adopted alternative to a conventional delivery, with well-documented maternal benefits, but there is an ongoing debate regarding neonatal safety. We would like to report a case of a 10-day-old male neonate who developed acute otitis externa (AOE) following waterbirth. Despite the rare occurrence of this disease in children under 2 years of age, prompt diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate therapy led to a full recovery. This case represents a previously undocumented, yet plausible, complication of waterbirth and underscores the importance of careful neonatal ear assessment and preventive measures in aquatic deliveries.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm15166490

Authors: Julia Ufnal, Maria Wolniewicz, Lidia Zawadzka-Głos

Institution: Medical University of Warsaw

Language: English

Topic: Neonatal skin health care

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137