Objective: To study morphology and genetics of cup-ear.
Method: The occurrence and pedigree of patients with cup-ear were investigated in Benin, West Africa. Clinical observation and home visit were conducted to see if these patients had hearing loss or other anomalies.
Result: Between 1996 and 1997, 9 patients with cup-ear were found, accounting for 0.303% of patients seen during this period. These 9 patients were from 7 different tribes. 5 patients had family history, 3 pedigrees were studied in details.
Conclusion: the family investigation suggested that the formation of cup-ear was determined by the cup-ear gene of an affected parent and it was an autosomal dominant inheritance.