Microtia: definition, symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

Definition

What is microtia?

Microtia or microtia is a birth defect in a baby's ear. In more detail, microtia is a birth defect when the baby's outer ear is small and not well formed.

The word "microtia" is another word for "micro" and "otia" which means "small ear size". The size under microtia varies, but is generally always small.

Usually, a baby's ear with microtia consists of only a small part that resembles a pea.

Microtia or microtia is a birth defect that usually affects only the appearance of a baby's outer ear. While the inside of the baby's ears which are inside the head have no problems.

It's just that, some babies who have microtia also have narrow ear canals (canal stenosis) or even missing alias does not exist (canal atresia or aural atresia).

How common is this condition?

Launching from Stanford Children's Health, microtia or microtia is a condition that occurs in about 1 in 5,000 baby births.

Even so, the incidence of the disease may vary depending on conditions. In 90% of cases, microtia or microtia only occurs in one ear and usually the right ear.

In fact, most cases of microtia are experienced by male babies. Microtia or microtia is a condition for birth defects in babies that can range from mild to severe.

However, in some other cases, the ear may be completely lost. The medical term for this missing outer ear condition is anotia.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of microtia?

The various signs and symptoms of microtia or microtia are as follows:

• The shape of the outer ear is abnormal
• The ear size is smaller than normal or it should be
• Missing or absent outer ear (anotia)

When to see a doctor?

If you see a baby who has the above signs, symptoms, or other questions, you should immediately consult a doctor. The health condition of each person is different, including babies.

Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment regarding the health condition of your baby.

Cause

What causes microtia?

The cause of microtia or microtia in babies is sometimes unknown. However, there are some babies born with microtia due to changes in genes in their bodies.

Even in certain cases, microtia can occur due to abnormalities in a single gene of the baby, causing genetic syndromes. Take, for example, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome, and Goldenhar syndrome.

In addition, another cause of microtia is that pregnant women take the drug isotretinoin (Accutane®). This medicine should not be taken carelessly when a woman is pregnant because it can cause birth defects, including microtia.

Not only that, microtia is also believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and other factors such as those related to the environment around pregnant women.

Food and drinks consumed by pregnant women and other types of drugs used during pregnancy can also affect the baby.

What are the types of microtia?

There are four types of microtia or microtia. The first type of microtia is the mildest form and the last type of microtia is the most severe form.

These various types of microtia can affect one or both ears. The different types or types of microtia are as follows:

Type 1

Microtia or this type of microtia is a condition when the outer ear is small, but still fairly normal.

However, the baby's ear canal may narrow or even disappear.

Type 2

Microtia or this type of microtia is a condition when the lower third of a baby's ear, including the earlobe, looks normal.

However, the top two thirds of the baby's ears appear small and deformed. This makes the baby's ear canal narrow or even disappear.

Type 3

Microtia or microtia is the most common type in babies. Babies can have small outer ears, including small lobes and cartilage. In this type of 3rd microtia there is usually no ear canal.

Type 4

Microtia or microtia is the most severe type, also known as anotia. Babies with this type of microtia do not have ears or ear canals. This condition can occur in one or both ears

Risk Factors

What increases the risk of developing this condition?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several factors that increase the risk of microtia are as follows:

Diabetes

Mothers who have diabetes before pregnancy have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with microtia conditions. Meanwhile, pregnant women who do not have diabetes certainly have a lower risk.

Diabetes experienced by mothers before pregnancy can continue to be experienced even until later in pregnancy.

Mother's diet

Pregnant women who eat lots of low-carbohydrate and low-folic acid are believed to have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with microtia conditions.

That is why pregnant women are strongly advised to pay attention to their daily intake of food and drinks.

The need for folic acid for pregnant women should not be overlooked as an effort to prevent birth defects.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose microtia?

Doctors can diagnose microtia by making observations or examinations since the newborn.

Meanwhile, to find out the severity of microtia can be done by using a special hearing test with a doctor who is an expert in their field.

This examination can be done with the help of a specialist ear nose throat (ENT) and pediatric audiologist .

An audiologist is here to assess the severity of hearing loss your baby may be experiencing.

The audiologist has a different task than an ENT specialist who will observe whether there is a hole in the ear or not.

In addition, ENT specialists will also provide advice if the baby needs hearing assistance or reconstructive surgery.

Doctors will usually also find out if there are other conditions due to microtia that can coexist with genetic conditions or other congenital defects.

Babies may be referred to a genetic specialist if a genetic abnormality is suspected.

Apart from doing a thorough physical examination, your doctor may also do a CT scan for babies at an older age.

This examination aims to provide a detailed picture of the condition of the baby's ears along with the bone and other structures in the ear.

What are the treatment options for microtia?

Treatment for babies with microtia conditions usually depends on the type and severity of the condition. Some of the treatment options for babies with microtia are as follows:

1. Hearing aids

Babies with microtia conditions can be treated by inserting hearing aids if the condition is not too severe. Infants who are still very young are usually not advised to undergo surgery.

On the other hand, if your baby who has microtia still has an auditory canal in the ear, using hearing aids can also help.

2. Operation or surgery

Surgery is performed on babies with microtia to change the shape of the outer ear.

The length of time surgery or surgery on babies with microtia conditions depends on the age and severity experienced.

This operation or surgery can generally only be done when your little one is between 4 years old or 48 months to 10 years. However, your baby may need further treatment if it has other birth defects.

Consult further with your doctor to determine the best treatment or surgery for minor conditions.

By providing proper care and handling, babies with microtia conditions can grow and develop normally and healthily.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.