Ear pits (preauricular pits) are often a rather subtle finding on physical exam. They are located at the superior attachment of the pinna to the face and may be unilateral or bilateral. Up to 10% of Asian infants will have pits -- they are less common among caucasians and African Americans. There is a rare association between ear pits and Brachio-Oto-Renal Syndrome so audiologic testing of these infants is recommended, but otherwise this is considered a benign finding. With an isolated pit, renal ultrasounds are not generally recommended. Screening for associated renal anomalies becomes more important when other anomalies are present, when there is a positive family history of deafness, renal pathology or auricular malformations, or when the mother has a history of gestational diabetes.

photo by Janelle Aby, MD