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The self-correction and influence factors of congenital auricular deformity: A prospective cohort study
Jincheng Huang1, Kun Zou2, Min Yang3
1Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, Sichuan province, China.
Insights
Congenital auricular deformity (CAD) shows some self-correction in newborns, but severity and type influence outcomes. Early intervention is often needed for most cases of CAD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery
- Neonatal Development
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Congenital auricular deformity (CAD) is a common condition in newborns.
- The natural self-correction potential of CAD varies significantly.
- Understanding factors influencing self-correction is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the self-correction of congenital auricular deformity (CAD) in newborns.
- To identify key factors influencing the spontaneous improvement of CAD.
- To inform clinical decisions regarding early treatment of CAD.
Main Methods:
- Multi-center prospective observational study involving 135 newborns (237 ears) aged 0-3 days.
- Follow-up conducted until 6 weeks postpartum, assessing deformity scores and improvement rates.
- Data collected on morphological type, severity, and gender to analyze self-correction factors.
Main Results:
- Deformity scores significantly decreased over 6 weeks (4.00 to 2.00, P < 0.05).
- Higher deformity severity correlated with poorer self-correction (P < 0.05).
- Stahl's ear showed better self-correction than other types; gender had no significant impact.
Conclusions:
- While some congenital auricular deformities self-correct, many require early intervention.
- Morphological type and severity are primary determinants of self-correction efficacy.
- Neonatal sex does not significantly influence the self-correction of CAD.
Objective:
To prospectively observe the self-correction of congenital auricular deformity (CAD) and explore the potential factors affecting the self-correction.
Methods:
This study was a multi-center prospective observational study. Newborns aged 0-3 days from 12 Maternal and Child Health Hospitals or Maternity Hospitals were chosen as the participants and prospectively followed up until week 6 after birth. The primary and secondary outcome was the score of deformity, and the secondary outcome was the improvement rate, respectively.
Results:
A total of 135 newborns diagnosed with CAD (237 ears) were recruited. Boys and girls accounted for 50.37% (117 ears) and 49.63% (120 ears). The top morphological type was the constricted ear (107 ears, 45.15%). The score of deformity at baseline, week 3, and week 6 after enrollment was 4.00, 3.00, and 2.00, decreasing over time (P < 0.05). The higher the severity of deformity, the worse the self-correcting effect (P < 0.05). The scores of deformity of Stahl's ear were lower than those of others after follow-up (P < 0.05). No significant differences among the scores of deformity in different genders (P >0.05). The total improvement rate at week 3 and week 6 was 29.96% (71/237 ears) and 37.13% (88/237), respectively. The improvement rate of the Stahl's ear at week 3 and week 6 after enrollment was higher than that of four other morphological types (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Some CAD tends to self-correction, but for most CADs, there is still a need for early correction. Morphological types and severity of deformity are the main influencing factors on self-correcting effect, whereas sex was not.
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