Medical care during the first months of life for children with a facial nerve birth injury

Abstract

Background. Among all cranial nerves, the facial nerve is the most exposed to birth injuries. Difficulties with medical assistance during the first months of life for children with a facial nerve birth injury is known and debated. According to the literature data, the scope of diagnostic and treatment activities varies, and these treatments have not always demonstrated effectiveness.
 Aim. We discuss the protocol of medical assistance for newborns and children during the first months of life with a facial nerve birth trauma.
 Materials and methods. We analyzed domestic and foreign literature dedicated to facial nerve birth trauma.
 Results. The results showed the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach for patients with facial nerve birth trauma involving neurologists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, audiologists, maxillofacial surgeons, geneticists, doctors for rehabilitation medicine, and microsurgeons. Key directions of medical assistance during the first months of life include the prevention of the development of ophthalmologic complications; topical and etiological differential diagnosis; and dynamic observation to timely resolve whether surgical treatment is necessary.
 Conclusion. The integration of developed protocols in clinical practice is essential for understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, natural history, differential diagnostics, and prior treatment by medical doctors of different specialties to improve the quantity of medical assistance.

Congenital Facial Paralysis Revealing an Aplasic Facial Nerve

“…23,24 Although there is not enough evidence to support rehabilitative approaches in cases of congenital FP, physiotherapy with biofeedback, relaxation exercises, mime therapy, coordination, and facial expression exercises may help reduce muscle stiffness, maintain facial symmetry, and facilitate facial movements, and these are recommended by some authors. 12,16,25 The main goal of treatment is to ensure normal development and welfare of the child; in this regard, mime therapy has been shown to increase the social well-being subscale, as well as the physical subscale of the Facial Disability Index, in adult patients with chronic peripheral FP. 26 Some studies indicate the potential benefit of using rehabilitation techniques but lack high-quality evidence.…”