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High altitude and microtia in Ecuadorian patients

Abstract:

Objective: To examine the relationship between high altitude and microtia in Ecuador. Methods: We evaluated the epidemiological issues of 1298 cases of microtia reported in Ecuador from 2001 to 2007. It used data arising from the Vital Statistics National Reports: Annual Survey of Admissions and Discharges in this 7 year period. The register is national and population based, run and funded by the government. Results: It reported a total of 1298 cases of microtia out of 34654 cases of congenital malformations described in the registries. The overall prevalence was 2.38/10000 admissions/discharges calculated out of 5462263 admissions. An overall percentage (of 90.22%) were admitted before 19 years of age with the most prevalent group between 5 to 9 years of age (31.90%). There was progressive increase of cases every year; from 132 cases in 2001 to 304 in 2007. Total male cases in this study were 723 (55.70%) and female cases were 575 (44.30%). Tungurahua reported the highest prevalence of 18.31/10000 births, followed by Chimborazo, Azuay, Pichincha and Cotopaxi; all of them located over 2500 meters above sea level. It found that highest prevalence was 10.21 over 2700 meters above sea level followed by 8.28 over 2800 meters above sea level; with both having a cumulative prevalence of 8.81. Conclusion: There is a higher prevalence of microtia in patients living above 2500 meters above sea level. This study was not able to establish a clear relationship between microtia and different ethnic groups. © 2010 IOS Press and the authors.