Auricular mild errors of morphogenesis: epidemiological analysis, local correlations and clinical significance

Background. – The mild errors or morphogenesis (MEMs) are well known and accepted markers of alterations in embryonic development with predictive value in identification of major malformations, specific genetic syndromes, metabolic and psychiatric disease and childhood malignancy.

Objective. – The goal of this study was to assess the contribution of auricular MEMs as part of total MEMs in an effort to study the factors influencing the different potential informative value of different types of MEMs and their variability with perinatal factors.

Method. – Three thousand one hundred and seven consecutive born neonates were screened for auricular and non-auricular MEMs, inregistered concomitantly with major malformations and postural defects. The study was accomplished by our specially designed computerized program in a relatively large nonhomogeneous ethnic population, in the metropolitan area of Haifa, Israel.

Results. – The general prevalence of auricular MEMs was 43.1%; the most frequent pathogenetic type was the postural one. Significantly higher rates of auricular MEMs were associated with male sex, small- and large-for-gestational age, IVF pregnancy, triplet pregnancy, maternal diabetes and parental consanguinity.

Conclusion. – We conclude that the presence, number, and association or concomitance of auricular MEMs in the same neonate may have important clinical, diagnostic, pathogenetic, screening, and therapeutic value.