BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of epidemiologic information about the external ear malformations anotia and microtia. METHODS: Using data from a large population-based registry, we explored prevalences and maternal/infant characteristics associated with anotia and microtia. Data were derived from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, a population-based active surveillance system for collecting information on infants and fetuses with congenital malformations using multiple source ascertainment. Approximately 2.5 million births (live-born and stillborn) occurred during the ascertainment period, 1989-1997. Information on maternal and infant/fetal characteristics was obtained from California birth certificate and fetal death files. RESULTS: The prevalence of anotia/microtia was 2.50 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Isolated cases, i.e., those live births and stillbirths with no other accompanying anomaly diagnoses, revealed a prevalence of 0.63 per 10,000, whereas among nonisolated cases, the prevalence was 1.53 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Prevalences of isolated anotia/microtia were substantially higher among U.S.-born Hispanics, foreign-born Hispanics, and Asians compared to non-Hispanic whites, with relative risks ranging from three- to seven-fold. Similar prevalences for maternal race/ethnicity (except for Asians) were observed for live births and stillbirths with nonisolated cases of anotia/microtia, but the magnitude of risks were lower than those observed for isolated cases. Prevalence of nonisolated anotia/microtia was substantially lower among women whose education was 12 years or more. CONCLUSIONS: These data reveal descriptive epidemiologic features of anotia/microtia most notably substantial risks associated with race/ethnic groups and lower maternal education. Additional study for factors associated with these characteristics could reveal clues for the etiology of these ear anomalies.
BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of epidemiologic information about the external ear malformations anotia and microtia. METHODS: Using data from a large population-based registry, we explored prevalences and maternal/infant characteristics associated with anotia and microtia. Data were derived from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, a population-based active surveillance system for collecting information on infants and fetuses with congenital malformations using multiple source ascertainment. Approximately 2.5 million births (live-born and stillborn) occurred during the ascertainment period, 1989-1997. Information on maternal and infant/fetal characteristics was obtained from California birth certificate and fetal death files. RESULTS: The prevalence of anotia/microtia was 2.50 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Isolated cases, i.e., those live births and stillbirths with no other accompanying anomaly diagnoses, revealed a prevalence of 0.63 per 10,000, whereas among nonisolated cases, the prevalence was 1.53 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Prevalences of isolated anotia/microtia were substantially higher among U.S.-born Hispanics, foreign-born Hispanics, and Asians compared to non-Hispanic whites, with relative risks ranging from three- to seven-fold. Similar prevalences for maternal race/ethnicity (except for Asians) were observed for live births and stillbirths with nonisolated cases of anotia/microtia, but the magnitude of risks were lower than those observed for isolated cases. Prevalence of nonisolated anotia/microtia was substantially lower among women whose education was 12 years or more. CONCLUSIONS: These data reveal descriptive epidemiologic features of anotia/microtia most notably substantial risks associated with race/ethnic groups and lower maternal education. Additional study for factors associated with these characteristics could reveal clues for the etiology of these ear anomalies.
Authors: Daniela V Luquetti; Matthew L Speltz; Erin R Wallace; Babette Siebold; Brent R Collett; Amelia F Drake; Alexis L Johns; Kathleen A Kapp-Simon; Sara L Kinter; Brian G Leroux; Leanne Magee; Susan Norton; Kathleen Sie; Carrie L Heike Journal: Cleft Palate Craniofac J Date: 2019-01-08
Authors: Marisa A Ryan; Andrew F Olshan; Mark A Canfield; Adrienne T Hoyt; Angela E Scheuerle; Suzan L Carmichael; Gary M Shaw; Martha M Werler; Sarah C Fisher; Tania A Desrosiers Journal: Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2019-03-23 Impact factor: 1.675
Authors: Daniela V Luquetti; Carrie L Heike; Anne V Hing; Michael L Cunningham; Timothy C Cox Journal: Am J Med Genet A Date: 2011-11-21 Impact factor: 2.802
Authors: Mark A Canfield; Cara T Mai; Ying Wang; Alissa O'Halloran; Lisa K Marengo; Richard S Olney; Christopher L Borger; Rachel Rutkowski; Jane Fornoff; Nila Irwin; Glenn Copeland; Timothy J Flood; Robert E Meyer; Russel Rickard; C J Alverson; Joseph Sweatlock; Russell S Kirby Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-07-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Daniela V Luquetti; Timothy C Cox; Jorge Lopez-Camelo; Maria da Graça Dutra; Michael L Cunningham; Eduardo E Castilla Journal: Am J Med Genet A Date: 2013-03-29 Impact factor: 2.802
Authors: Daniela V Luquetti; Babette S Saltzman; Jorge Lopez-Camelo; Maria da Graça Dutra; Eduardo E Castilla Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2013-11