The purpose of this study was to assess the value of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis for fetal ear auricle malformations.

The coronal and sagittal planes of fetuses ears were obtained prospectively in 6239 singleton fetuses in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College for the period from 2012 February to 2015 December, the ultrasound images and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in 11 cases of fetuses ear auricle malformations diagnosed prenatally.

Eleven Cases of fetuses ear auricle malformations include with 7 cases of microtia, 3 cases of low-set ears and 1 case of anotia. Eleven cases were combined with other structural malformations were as followings, 3cases with craniocerebral congenital malformation, 5 cases with dentofacial deformity, 5 cases with malformation of heart, 3 cases with limb deformity. Cordocentesis was performed in 7 cases among which 6 with abnormal karyotype, including 2 cases of trisomy 21, 2 cases of trisomy 13, 2 cases of trisomy 18, 1 case of 22q11 abnormalities. Compared with the postpartum facial examination, prenatal ultrasound correctly diagnosed 10 cases of fetal ear auricle malformations, missed diagnosis 1 case of microtia.

Fetus with ear auricle abnormalities have characteristic prenatal ultrasound imaging; prenatal ultrasonography can provide reliable information in the diagnosis of this disease. This study suggests that antenatal ear auricle length measurements might be a promising sonographic screening method for the detection of abnormal karyotype in pregnancy.

Ultrasonography, prenatal; Fetus; Ear auricle, congenital abnormality