Microtia affects 1-5 out of 10,000 babies born throughout the world. An estimated 36,000 Americans have microtia. There are an estimated 334,000 people with microtia worldwide.
 |
| This is Paul Stanley, the frontman of the rock group, KISS. He has microtia. |
In addition…
boys are more likely to be born with microtia than girls
right side microtia is more common than left side microtia
there may be a genetic component that increases the probability of a child being born with microtia, though 95% of those with microtia have no family history of microtia
a greater maternal age might be associated with greater probability of a child being born with microtia (but isn't that what they say about everything?)
Asians, Hispanics and Caucasians are more likely to be born with microtia
there is a community in Ecuador where there is higher incidence of microtia
microtia is predominantly an isolated condition with no other congenital abnormalities (I hate that word) present
However, the following syndromes are sometimes associated with microtia:
- oculoauriculovertebral spectrum (OAVS),
- Goldenhar syndrome (GS)/hemifacial microsomia/craniofacial microsomia (CFM),
- Treacher Collins,
- Nager,
- DiGeorge (also known as 22qdeletion syndrome),
- Townes–Brock syndrome (TBS) and
- branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome
KISS is actually going on a world tour this year (2022), but I won't be able to see them because they are not coming to my city...maybe I'll make it to their 60th anniversary world tour...