What are Anotia and Microtia?
Anotia and microtia are birth defects of a babyās ear. Anotia happens when the external ear (the part of the ear that can be seen) is missing completely. Microtia happens when the external ear is small and not formed properly.
Anotia/microtia usually happens during the first few weeks of pregnancy. These defects can vary from being barely noticeable to being a major problem with how the ear formed. Most of the time, anotia/microtia affects how the babyās ear looks, but usually the parts of the ear inside the head (the inner ear) are not affected. However, some babies with this defect also will have a narrow or missing ear canal.
Content provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For information and references about anotia and microtia, please visit
Facts about Anotia and Microtia | CDC ā.
Rates of Anotia and Microtia: 2018ā2020ā
Overallā
By Age
ā24 and under
|
3.3
|
ā25ā29
|
2.9
|
ā30ā34
|
3.5
|
ā35ā39
|
3.8
|
ā40 and over
|
3.4
|
āBy Race and Ethnicity
āAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Other/Non-Hispanic
|
ānot applicable**
|
āAsian/Non-Hispanicā
|
3.5
|
āBlack/Non-Hispanic
|
1.4
|
āHispanic
|
4.2
|
White/Non-Hispanic
|
ā2.0
|
*Per 10,000 live births
**No cases in 2018ā2ā020
Data Source: California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Registry, 2018ā2020, California 10-County Caāātchment Area (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Orange, San Diego, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare)
Back to Data Sheetsāā