Low-set ears in newborns are most commonly associated with which systemic anomaly?

• A. Conductive hearing loss
• B. Renal anomalies
• C. Sensorineural hearing loss
• D. Otolith dysfunction

Answer: (B)

Low-set ears in a newborn can be a clue to an associated systemic issue, particularly when they occur as part of a broader congenital syndrome. In several syndromes, ear/face anomalies accompany kidney problems, with branchio-oto-renal syndrome being a classic example that links ear malformations, hearing issues, and renal anomalies. The presence of low-set ears therefore points toward potential renal involvement rather than being an isolated ear finding.

Hearing loss type (conductive or sensorineural) describes the nature of the auditory deficit, not a systemic anomaly, and otolith dysfunction relates to balance rather than kidney or systemic issues. So the systemic anomaly most commonly associated with low-set ears is renal anomalies.