The Curious World of Preauricular Pits: An Unusually Common Birth Irregularity

Understanding Preauricular Pits

An intriguing yet largely unknown birth defect, preauricular pits are small holes found on the ridge above the ear canal near the cheek. Often misunderstood as piercings or beauty spots, they are mentioned as first recorded in 1864 by Medical News Today. The effects of these pits differ among individuals, but they are primarily harmless.

Prevalence and Diagnosis

Preauricular pits are usually spotted during routine newborn check-ups. They can appear on either or both ears and it's not unusual for an individual to have more than one. However, it's more common to find them in just one ear and these irregularities are linked to a sinus tract that shouldn't exist. According to 2019 research by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), such skin lesions occur in 5-10 babies per 1,000 live births.

Possible Complications

Even though often minor, these pits have the potential for infection, sometimes leading to an abscess formation and recurrent infections may necessitate surgery. Rarely, preauricular pits are a symptom of genetic disorders such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome causing overgrowth in several body parts, or branchio-oto-renal syndrome leading to tissue anomalies in the ears, neck, and kidneys.

Behind the Pits

The formation of preauricular pits can be traced back to the womb and are believed to result from imperfect fusion of the auricle, the visible part of the ear, occurring during the sixth week of gestation. They can be inherited and also sporadically appear due to unknown reasons. If the condition affects both ears, it could likely be a genetic aberration. In certain areas of Africa, the incidence rate of preauricular pits is as high as 10%.

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