Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview

<b>Background</b> The facial nerve (FN) plays a pivotal role in human life; apart from its sensory and parasympathetic functions, it innervates the facial muscles, and it is therefore involved in non-verbal communication, allowing us to express emotions and reactions. Especially in the c...

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Main Authors: Virginia Fancello, Andrea Ciorba, Daniele Monzani, Elisabetta Genovese, Francesco Bussu, Silvia Palma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Pediatric Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/16/4/72
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author Virginia Fancello
Andrea Ciorba
Daniele Monzani
Elisabetta Genovese
Francesco Bussu
Silvia Palma
author_facet Virginia Fancello
Andrea Ciorba
Daniele Monzani
Elisabetta Genovese
Francesco Bussu
Silvia Palma
author_sort Virginia Fancello
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b> The facial nerve (FN) plays a pivotal role in human life; apart from its sensory and parasympathetic functions, it innervates the facial muscles, and it is therefore involved in non-verbal communication, allowing us to express emotions and reactions. Especially in the case of childhood onset, FN dysfunction can severely affect the quality of life. <b>Methods</b> The aim of this review is to analyze the most recent literature, focusing on the acute onset of peripheral FN palsy among pediatric patients, discussing the different etiologies, prognoses, and management strategies. A total of 882 papers were initially identified, but only 7 met the selection criteria. Therefore, data on 974 children in total were pooled and analyzed. <b>Results</b> According to the findings of this review, FN palsy is idiopathic in most cases, while an infective etiology was identified as the second most common. The main pathogen agents identified were Borrelia Burgdorferi, especially in endemic areas, and Herpesviridae. Respiratory tract infections and/or ear infections were also described. Head trauma or direct injury of the FN accounted for 2% of all cases. <b>Conclusions</b> The overall FN recovery rate is high, even though the etiology remains unknown for most patients. Therapeutic indications are still lacking, especially in the case of non-recovering FN palsy. In our opinion, large, prospective studies are necessary for improving our knowledge of this disorder and establishing evidence-based approaches.
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spelling doaj-art-3e1d3e3737f84b7f9dea6cd3a676ad232024-12-27T14:45:36ZengMDPI AGPediatric Reports2036-75032024-10-0116484485310.3390/pediatric16040072Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An OverviewVirginia Fancello0Andrea Ciorba1Daniele Monzani2Elisabetta Genovese3Francesco Bussu4Silvia Palma5Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyENT and Audiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyUnit of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, University of Verona, 37039 Verona, ItalyOtolaryngology and Audiology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, ItalyOtolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyAudiology, Primary Care Department, Modena AUSL, 41100 Modena, Italy<b>Background</b> The facial nerve (FN) plays a pivotal role in human life; apart from its sensory and parasympathetic functions, it innervates the facial muscles, and it is therefore involved in non-verbal communication, allowing us to express emotions and reactions. Especially in the case of childhood onset, FN dysfunction can severely affect the quality of life. <b>Methods</b> The aim of this review is to analyze the most recent literature, focusing on the acute onset of peripheral FN palsy among pediatric patients, discussing the different etiologies, prognoses, and management strategies. A total of 882 papers were initially identified, but only 7 met the selection criteria. Therefore, data on 974 children in total were pooled and analyzed. <b>Results</b> According to the findings of this review, FN palsy is idiopathic in most cases, while an infective etiology was identified as the second most common. The main pathogen agents identified were Borrelia Burgdorferi, especially in endemic areas, and Herpesviridae. Respiratory tract infections and/or ear infections were also described. Head trauma or direct injury of the FN accounted for 2% of all cases. <b>Conclusions</b> The overall FN recovery rate is high, even though the etiology remains unknown for most patients. Therapeutic indications are still lacking, especially in the case of non-recovering FN palsy. In our opinion, large, prospective studies are necessary for improving our knowledge of this disorder and establishing evidence-based approaches.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/16/4/72peripheral facial nerve palsychildrenBell’s palsyacute onsetemergency department
spellingShingle Virginia Fancello
Andrea Ciorba
Daniele Monzani
Elisabetta Genovese
Francesco Bussu
Silvia Palma
Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview
Pediatric Reports
peripheral facial nerve palsy
children
Bell’s palsy
acute onset
emergency department
title Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview
title_full Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview
title_fullStr Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview
title_full_unstemmed Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview
title_short Acute Onset of Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy in Children: An Overview
title_sort acute onset of peripheral facial nerve palsy in children an overview
topic peripheral facial nerve palsy
children
Bell’s palsy
acute onset
emergency department
url https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/16/4/72
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