Pre-auricular tags and associated anomalies: considerations for genetic counseling
Bianca, S.; Ingegnosi, C.; Ettore, G.
Genetic Counseling 14(3): 321-324
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1015-8146 PMID: 14577676 Document Number: 564867
Pre-auricular tags are relatively common isolated congenital anomalies with a prevalence of about 5 per 1000 live births. Several associations with congenital anomalies have been reported and the opportunity of systematic ultrasonography examinations in these patients were debated in the literature. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study on 95 affected newborns, to evaluate whether infants with pre-auricular tags may be at risk for associated anomalies. Our results focus the attention on the increased risk of congenital urinary tract and heart malformations in newborns with isolated pre-auricular tags. Therefore, we recommend that a carefully genetic clinical examination to evaluated dysmorphic features evocative of a specific pattern or syndrome and an urinary and cardiac ultrasonography should be performed in infants with isolated pre-auricular tags.