title: Simultaneous bilateral facial palsy in pregnancy.
abstract: The risk of facial palsy for pregnant women is higher than for nonpregnant women. Most cases occur in the third trimester and the immediate postpartum period. Unilateral facial palsy is a commonly seen mononeuropathy. Bilateral facial palsy, however, is rare and is most often a sign of a systemic disease. The authors present the case of a pregnant woman who was first seen with left-sided facial paralysis. The paralysis then spread to the right side, resolved quickly after delivery, but appeared again on the right side 6 months later. The authors warn that bilateral facial palsy seen in pregnancy may be a sign of serious underlying disease. Differential diagnosis, possible etiologies, treatment, and prognosis are discussed.
authors.affiliation: West Suburbank Hospital/Family Practice Residency Program, Oak Park, Ill., USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jessen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shaenboen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005158:Facial Paralysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications