A Follow-up Survey of Auricle Morphology in 275 Neonates

WANG Xiaoya; HUANG Jingru; WEI Wei; LI Yuyun; LUO Renzhong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2021.04.012

Abstract：Objective To investigate the incidence of auricle malformation at birth and at 1 month of age, and analyze the self-correction and influencing factors. Methods A total of 275 newborns were followed up to 1 month of age on the incidence of auricular deformity, deformity categories, self-correction at 1 month of age and potentially influencing factors. Results The rate of auricle morphological deformity was 55.09% at birth and 30.80% at 1 month after birth, with a rate of self-correction of 40.77% at 1 month of age. The highest deformity incidence was seen with ear lobe, followed by the helical rim, ear constriction, mixed deformities, Stahl's ear, Conchal crus, prominent ear and cup ear from high to 1w. The highest rate of self-correction rate was seen with Stahl's ear, followed by helical rim deformities, lop ear, constricted ear, prominent ear, Conchal crus, cup ear and mixed deformities. The at birth incidence of Stahl’s ear was higher on left than right ear, that of ear lobe deformity was higher in boys than in girls, and that of mixed deformities was higher with normal delivery than with cesarean section. No significant differences were noticed among other categories. The rate of self-correction 1 month showed no significant difference between the side, genders or the two sets of instructions given to parents, although more correction was seen with constricted ears in normal delivery than in cesarean section. Conclusion The incidence of auricular deformities is high in neonates, but some deformities can gradually self-correct, especially in Stahl’s ear. Therefore, newborn with Stahl's ear can be observed longer, but ear molding treatment should be recommended earlier for Conchal crus, cup ear and mixed ear deformities.