Clinical Features and Practices of Bell Palsy of Children and Adolescent in a Single Center

Abstract

Bell palsy is an idiopathic peripheral facial nerve paralysis of sudden onset. Though the incidence in children is relatively lower than adult population, it is not uncommon. Because of its' relative rarity and good prognosis, there have been few studies about clinical features and courses of Bell palsy in pediatric population. The aim of our study was to report the clinical characteristics and practices of Bell palsy in children and adolescent in a single center. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 70 patients diagnosed as Bell palsy in Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from September 2006 to June 2017 retrospectively. We included only first episode. Results: Of the 70 patients, 35 was male, 35 was females. Median age was 102 months. There was no seasonal difference. Median duration of palsy was 3 days. The first symptoms were auricular pain (14%), facial palsy (83%), eye pain (1%), and dysguesia (1%). Preceding viral infection was present in 49% of patients. 26% of patients were treated with steroid alone, and 74% of cases were treated with steroid plus acyclovir. Oriental medicine was accompanied in 14% of patients. Among 49 patients who were followed over 4 weeks, 44(90%) had complete recovery. The recovery rates were 68% (4 weeks), 91% (3months), and 100% (10 months). Recurrent rate was 4%. Conclusion: The prognosis of Bell palsy in pediatric population was good, and recovery rates were 68% within 4 weeks, and 100% by 10 months after palsy onset.