One of the conditions that most worries parents about their children is the condition of Bell's palsy in children, even if it is a rare occurrence. Studies indicate that there are 4 cases of the condition out of 100,000 children annually, but it is a health problem that deserves to delve deeper into its symptoms and causes, and into the methods of diagnosis and treatment, and this is exactly what we are discussing in this article with the most important tips for supporting the child in this medical condition.
What is Bell's palsy in children?
Bell's palsy in children is a medical condition that leads to sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side only, affecting the movement of the eyes, lips, and mouth. This occurs for many reasons that we will learn about in detail below, in addition to defining the difference between temporary and permanent Bell's palsy.
The difference between temporary and permanent Bell's palsy
The difference between temporary and permanent hemiplegia lies in the main causes of its occurrence and the extent of the nerve’s ability to regain its function. Temporary hemiplegia occurs suddenly due to inflammation of the facial nerve and the symptoms last for a few months and then gradually disappear. Permanent paralysis occurs due to severe damage or injury to the facial nerve and may last for years or a lifetime.
Causes of Bell's palsy in children
One of the most important causes of Bell's palsy in children is weakness or damage to the seventh facial nerve, which affects the ability to move one side of the face. Among the most important causes of nerve weakness are the following:
- Viral infection:
Such as the herpes simplex virus HSV-1, the Epstein-Barr virus, the Varicella-Zoster virus that causes chickenpox, and of course the influenza virus. - Bacterial infection:
One of the most famous and common is Lyme disease, which spreads in areas where ticks are infested, which is the main cause of infections, middle ear infections, or respiratory infections. - Immune system disorders:
Such as some immune diseases that lead to inflammation of the facial nerve, such as Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome. - Facial nerve injury:
Due to the child being exposed to a head injury or pressure on the nerve during birth, also sudden exposure to extreme cold, or a problem with blood flow to the nerve, which leads to poor function.
Check out Quadriplegia in children Causes, symptoms, treatment options and support
Symptoms of Bell's palsy in children
Symptoms of Bell's palsy in children begin suddenly and affect one side of the face and include:
- A feeling of numbness or slight tingling in the affected part of the face.
- The child's inability to move half of the face due to weak facial muscles.
- Find it difficult to smile, eat, or puff your cheeks, and cannot control facial expressions.
- An eye problem: the child cannot close his eye on the affected side, which leads to dryness and irritation of the eye.
- Severe changes in the mouth and loss of the sense of taste, in addition to the inability to speak and speak in an unclear voice.
- Feeling pain behind the ear and in the jaw, with excessive sensitivity when hearing sounds in the ear on the affected side.
How to diagnose Bell's palsy in children
Bell's palsy in children is diagnosed by a specialist doctor in several ways, the most important of which are:
- Examination and medical history of the child: by asking about the symptoms and whether the child has been exposed to a cold or recent infection, examining the facial muscles by telling the child to make some movements such as smiling or raising the eyebrows, and checking for any weakness in the limbs to rule out any other neurological diseases.
- Laboratory tests: These include a blood test to detect any bacterial or viral infection, and a blood sugar test to rule out diabetes, as it is sometimes associated with Bell's palsy.
- Functional testing: It is necessary for the doctor to examine the child’s sense of taste, in addition to examining the eyes and detecting their ability to secrete tears, because hemiplegia affects these functions.
- Nervous system tests: These include electromyography of the facial nerve to measure its response to electrical stimulation, and MRI or CT scan to rule out other conditions such as tumors or structural abnormalities.
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Methods of treating Bell's palsy in children
Methods of treating Bell's palsy in children focus on treating the causes after diagnosing the condition and knowing the cause of facial nerve damage. The methods are divided into:
- العلاج الدوائي:
Pharmacological treatment to treat temporary hemiplegia includes cortisone medications that help reduce inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve, antivirals that are used in cases of viral infections, and analgesics to reduce pain such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, with the addition of eye drops and ointments to treat the dryness that results from hemiplegia. - Physical therapy and rehabilitation:
Physical therapy and rehabilitation is an essential part of treatment and completion of the healing process. It aims to restore vital facial functions such as moving the eyes, mouth, and nose, and restoring natural facial expressions. This is done with some devices and techniques such as ultrasound and electrical therapy, in addition to exercises that help stimulate the nerve.
It is worth noting here that Al Mousa Specialist Hospital has the best physical therapy and rehabilitation center in the Kingdom, which is run by a group of the most skilled doctors and physical therapists. It provides sessions for the child to stimulate the damaged facial nerve and prevent facial muscle stiffness, using the latest therapeutic devices and techniques. - Alternative treatment:
There are some treatments that help stimulate the facial nerve, such as acupuncture, which improves blood flow to the nerve, as well as massage therapy and relaxation techniques that help treat tension and improve the response of the facial muscles. - التدخل الجراحي:
This happens with very rare cases that do not improve within months or a year of drug and rehabilitation treatment, and the nerve is still under pressure, which exposes the child to permanent hemiplegia, so doctors intervene with surgery to release the compressed part of the nerve.
5 tips to support the child during the treatment period
Supporting the child during the treatment period is one of the most important things that helps him recover quickly without leaving a bad psychological impact on him, so we have put together for you the 5 most important tips that help support the child during this period, which include:
- Constantly reassure the child that it is a temporary condition and will quickly disappear with completion of treatment.
- Strengthening his confidence and encouraging him to participate in activities with children without feeling ashamed of his facial shape.
- If the child is having difficulty speaking, he can be helped with written expression and be patient with him when he speaks slowly.
- Allocate time to play, have fun, and do relaxation exercises to reduce stress and stress that affect the child.
- Improving nutrition. In case of difficulty eating, soft and mashed food can be served and a straw or straw can be used for drinking.
Get to know Rehabilitation programs for paralysis patients To regain movement and independence
How can Bell's palsy in children be prevented?
There are several tips provided by doctors at Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital in Al-Ahsa to reduce the risk of injury and prevent Bell's palsy in children, including:
- Strengthening the immune system:
With proper nutrition rich in vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which is necessary for children’s health, while drinking large amounts of water daily and getting an appropriate amount of sleep. - Protection against viral infection:
This is done by avoiding sharing personal items with an infected person, and also by receiving basic vaccinations on their scheduled dates without delay. - Maintaining a healthy nervous system:
This is done by treating ear or throat infections immediately without neglect before they spread to the facial nerves, and following up with the doctor if the child is exposed to persistent ear pain or recurring infections. - Avoid exposure to sudden cold:
You should protect your child from sudden exposure to very cold air, such as direct air conditioning, or going from a warm place to suddenly become cold. - Avoid stress and psychological pressure:
Reducing the tension and stress that the child is exposed to, especially during exams, so that this does not affect the child’s immunity. Relaxation exercises and deep breathing exercises can be practiced with the child, or he can practice any hobby he likes.
Bell's palsy in children may pose a problem and a source of concern for parents, but pediatricians at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital have long experience in successfully diagnosing and treating these cases with the best modern medications and treatments, which helps improve the child's condition in a short time without experiencing any complications or affecting the facial senses.
اسئلة شائعة
Below we learn about the most important questions we receive about Bell's palsy in children and how to treat it:
How long does Bell's palsy last?
Bell's palsy usually lasts from one month to one and a half months for gradual improvement, while the time it takes for the face to completely return to normal will pass for a full 6 months.
Are there exercises that can help the child recover?
Yes, there are some exercises that help the child recover, such as raising the eyebrows and moving the nose to stimulate the facial muscles, as well as smiling and moving the lips, and gently massaging the face with circular movements with the fingertips.
Can a child's Bell's palsy return after recovery?
Yes, in some cases, Bell's palsy may return after recovery due to repeated viral infections, a problem with the optic nerve, and also repeated exposure to strong air currents.
Sources
Bell’s Palsy in Children – rcemlearning
Causes & Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy – kidshealth
