Bell’s Palsy in Children

Authors:  Darren Davies, Remy Toko / Editors:  Maya K Naravi, Helen Yasmin Sultan / Reviewer: Jon Bailey / Code: A5, CC1 Published: 25/01/2021

Description:

Bell’s palsy is a common adult presentation that is relatively uncommon in children. Though this diagnosis is most often benign, it is essential not to miss more serious causes of facial paralysis.

After completing this session you will be able to:

  • Discuss the differential diagnosis of possible underlying causes of Bell’s palsy in children
  • Recognise cases requiring further investigation
  • Identify which cases need follow-up
  • Outline advice to parents and child
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References:

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  2. Pancioli A. Part Three Medicine and Surgery, Section VII Neurology. In: Rosen, ed. 99 Brain and Cranial Nerve Disorders: Facial Nerve Paralysis. 5th Ed Vol 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006:1488-1489.
  3. El-Haurani AS, Eng CY, Ahmed SK et al. General Practitioners referral pattern for children with acute facial paralysis, Journal of Laryngology and otology 2005;199(7):0022-2151.
  4. Wyatt JP, Illingworth RN, Grahm CA et al. Chapter 12: Ear, Nose and Throat Facial nerve palsy In: Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine 3rd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006:552.
  5. Hope RA, Longmore JM, McManus SK et al. Chapter 10: Neurology, Cranial Nerve Lesions Bells Palsy. In: Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 4th Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998:460-461.
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  13. Pitaro J, Waissbluth S, Daniel SJ. Do children with Bells palsy benefit from steroid treatment? A systematic review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;76:921926.
  14. Babl FE, Mackay MT, Borland ML, et al. Bells Palsy in Children (BellPIC): protocol for a multicentre, placebo-controlled randomized trial. BMC Pediatrics. 2017;17:53. doi:10.1186/s12887-016-0702-y.
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  18. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Bell’s palsy: NICE CKS. Last revised: May 2019

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