title: Microtia in Finland: comparison of characteristics in different populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the characteristics of microtia in Finland and in other populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series and patient questionnaire of 190 microtia patients referred for reconstruction of the earlobe to the Helsinki University Central Hospital during the years 1980-2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence in Finland is 4.34/10,000 and varied in other populations from 0.83 to 17.4/10,000. Microtia is seen more in males (58%), as unilateral (88.4%), right-sided (59.5%) and it is almost always associated with aural atresia or stenosis (93%). There is conductive hearing loss in 96% and sensorineural hearing loss in 8% of the affected ears. 11% of the patients had congenital heart defects, and 5% had anomalies of extremities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is variation in the prevalence and characteristics of microtia in different populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kymenlaakso Central Hospital, Kotka, Finland.
authors.forename: Samuli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suutarla
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rautio
authors.forename: Annukka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ritvanen
authors.forename: Sirpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ala-Mello
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jero
authors.forename: Tuomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klockars
mesh_terms: D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000453:epidemiology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology