Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Microtia
Programs that treat this condition or perform this procedure
Craniofacial Anomalies Program  
What is microtia?
Microtia is a congenital condition in which an infant is born without external ears or with severe ear deformity.

Microtia can affect one or both ears.

  • Unilateral microtia - one ear is affected.
  • Bilateral microtia - both ears are affected.
The unilateral form is much more common, occurring in approximately 90% of patients.
What causes microtia?
The precise cause is unknown. No known food, medication, or activity during pregnancy can cause microtia.

Microtia is not a genetic condition. In fact, the possibility of passing microtia on to another child is believed to be less than 6 percent.

What kind of problems are associated with microtia?
In addition to the physical characteristics, a child with microtia may have some of these problems:
  • Hearing loss in the affected ear
  • Ear infections
How is microtia treated?
Treatment of microtia usually involves reconstructive surgery to rebuild the outer ear. This is a very delicate procedure that requires expertise in both plastic surgery and otolaryngology.

Surgical procedures usually begin around 6 years of age, because the ear is 90% of its adult size, so it is easier to determine the size of the ear that must be made.

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