Increased incidence of idiopathic paediatric facial palsy during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Issue 8 (12th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hogg, E S; Hampton, T; Street, I; Clarke, R; Wright, K; De, S; Sharma, S D
• Is Part Of: Journal of laryngology & otology. Volume 135:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 670
• Publication Date: 2021-08-12
• Subjects: Facial Nerve Disorders -- Palsy -- Bell's Palsy -- Coronavirus -- COVID-19 -- Pediatrics; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215121001353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2151

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Bell's palsy is a lower motor neurone facial weakness of unknown aetiology, although reactivation of a virus within the facial nerve has been proposed. Methods: A prospective study was conducted of Bell's palsy cases presenting to our paediatric ENT unit over a 19-week period, from February to June 2020. Patients were invited for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 antibody testing. A text-message questionnaire was sent to other ENT centres to determine their observational experience. Results: During the study period, 17 children presented with Bell's palsy, compared with only 3 children in the same time period in the previous year ( p < 0.0001). Five patients underwent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 antibody testing, the results of which were all negative. Four out of 15 centres questioned perceived an increased incidence in paediatric Bell's palsy. Conclusion: Clinicians are encouraged to be vigilant to the increase in paediatric Bell's palsy seen during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which may represent a post-viral sequela of coronavirus disease 2019.