Congenital Facial Paralysis

A Case of Idiopathic Acquired Neonatal Bell’s Palsy

“…1 About 2 in 1000 live births have congenital facial nerve paralysis. 2 Risk factors include forceps-assisted delivery, prolonged labor, and large for gestational age babies. 1 There are also disorders related to absence of the facial muscles that can mimic Bell’s palsy, which are also congenital.…”

“…Facial nerve palsies that are related to birth trauma are likely to resolve by 3 to 6 months of age without intervention. 2,3…”

“…Facial nerve palsies that are related to birth trauma are likely to resolve by 3 to 6 months of age without intervention. 2,3 There are few case reports of acquired Bell's palsy in neonates, specifically those younger than 1 month of age. Khair et al reported on a 15-day-old presenting with new-onset unilateral facial nerve palsy with negative viral and bacterial testing who responded to 7 days of oral prednisone with full recovery 2 weeks following treatment initiation.…”

“…Resolution of the symptoms on neonatal Bell's palsy is important to prevent long-term side effects that include social isolation, future surgeries, and short-term difficulties with eating. 1,2,4 Although neonatal idiopathic Bell's palsy is exceedingly rare, it is exciting to have a third case where low-dose oral corticosteroids lead to resolution of symptoms and allowed the infant and family to return to normal.…”

Heterotaxy syndrome with complex congenital heart disease, facial palsy, and asplenia: A rare newborn finding

“… 3 , 4 , 5 The incidence of congenital facial nerve palsy is about two in 1000 live births likely resolving by 3–6 months of age. 6 Herein, we report a rare case of a newborn with features of heterotaxy with facial palsy and complex congenital heart diseases.…”