Bell's palsy in a seven-month-old twin infant: a case report

Main Article Content

Ádonis Pereira de Melo
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7968-7252
João Batista Siqueira de Albuquerque Neto
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8712-4376
Maria Fernanda de Lima Veloso
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3857-6258
Rafaella de Lima Lopes
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1519-6437
João Guilherme Bezerra Alves
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9170-0808

Abstract

Idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis is a rare condition in the pediatric population under one year of age, characterized by paralysis of the structures innervated by the facial nerve. This report describes the first infant in Brazil to be diagnosed with this clinical condition. A 7-months-old twin infant presented with altered left oromotor control and a discrete incomplete closure of the left eyelid when blinking, although with normal tear production. Her primitive reflexes were present and the spontaneous movements of the four limbs were normal. An investigation for infectious etiology and a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were performed and did not show any alterations. Thus, the diagnosis of Bell's palsy was assumed, and oral prednisone was prescribed for five days. The patient evolved with total resolution of the facial paralysis during the first two weeks after discharge. Most cases of peripheral facial paralysis in children are idiopathic, while the others are associated with infectious and/or traumatic etiologies. There are still no consistent data proving the benefit of the use of corticoid alone or in combination with antiviral drugs for the treatment of children under one year of age.

Article Details

How to Cite
Melo, Ádonis P. de, Albuquerque Neto, J. B. S. de, Veloso, M. F. de L., Lopes, R. de L., & Alves, J. G. B. (2024). Bell’s palsy in a seven-month-old twin infant: a case report. Brazilian Journal of Case Reports, 4(4), 61–64. https://doi.org/10.52600/2763-583X.bjcr.2024.4.4.61-64
Section
Clinical Case Reports
Author Biographies

Ádonis Pereira de Melo, Medical student, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde

Medical student, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

João Batista Siqueira de Albuquerque Neto, Medical student, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde

Medical student, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Maria Fernanda de Lima Veloso, Medical student, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde

Medical student, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Rafaella de Lima Lopes, Pediatric resident, Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira

Pediatric resident, Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

João Guilherme Bezerra Alves, Pediatric, Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira

Pediatric, Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

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