Microtia and Atresia Celebration

Texas Children’s Hospital is bringing families together to learn, support and celebrate Microtia and Atresia awareness.

It’s been six years since the Pediatric Otolaryngology team at Texas Children's Hospital hosted the first annual Microtia and Atresia Celebration. Since then, Dr. Yi-Chun Carol Liu, program director, Microtia and Atresia and Jessie Marcet-Gonzalez, nurse practitioner, Otolaryngology have continued the tradition in volunteering their time to celebrate with patients and families.

This year’s celebration in November had more than 70 attendees, including children, caregivers and volunteers. The event featured educational lectures aimed at providing valuable information to patients and caregivers about microtia and aural atresia. Lecturers included Dr. Yi-Chun Carol Liu, Dr. Gabriel Gomez and Dr. Kristan Alfonso in Otolaryngology, Dr. Jennifer Drob in Audiology, Anaplastologist Colette Shrader and Speech Language Pathologist Roselinda Pruitt.

Microtia is a congenital underdevelopment of the outer ear and aural atresia is a condition where the external auditory canal is either narrowed or completely closed. They can impact physical appearance, hearing, speech and learning. These challenges can negatively affect self-esteem and overall quality of life, as children with these conditions often experience unilateral hearing loss.

Image

The event focused on educating patients and families about these conditions while creating a celebration for the families. The families enjoyed craft activities and refreshments. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect with the healthcare team and others who share the same condition, fostering a sense of community and support. The event brought together families and professionals to support and learn from one another.

The dedication of the healthcare team and volunteers highlights the importance of community and awareness in managing and overcoming the challenges associated with microtia and aural atresia.

The Microtia and Atresia Program at Texas Children’s Hospital has been caring for children with deformities of the inner and outer ear since 2008. In addition to best-in-class repair and reconstruction services, Texas Children’s multidisciplinary team of otolaryngologists (ENTs) work hand-in-hand with audiologists, therapists, social workers and care coordinators to provide patients and their families with personalized, comprehensive treatment plans.

Learn more about Texas Children’s renowned Microtia and Atresia Program.