title: [Idiopathic facial paralysis in children].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy in children. Controversy exists regarding treatment options. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of idiopathic facial palsy in children to suggest appropriate treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted on children with a diagnosis of idiopathic facial palsy from 2007 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 37 cases (13 males, 24 females) with a mean age of 13.9 years were included in this analysis. The mean duration between onset of Bell's palsy and consultation was 3 days. Of these patients, 78.3% had moderately severe (grade IV) or severe paralysis (grade V on the House and Brackmann grading). Twenty-seven patients were treated in an outpatient context, three patients were hospitalized, and seven patients were treated as outpatients and subsequently hospitalized. All patients received corticosteroids. Eight of them also received antiviral treatment. The complete recovery rate was 94.6% (35/37). The duration of complete recovery was 7.4 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with idiopathic facial palsy have a very good prognosis. The complete recovery rate exceeds 90%. However, controversy exists regarding treatment options. High-quality studies have been conducted on adult populations. Medical treatment based on corticosteroids alone or combined with antiviral treatment is certainly effective in improving facial function outcomes in adults. In children, the recommendation for prescription of steroids and antiviral drugs based on adult treatment appears to be justified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Randomized controlled trials in the pediatric population are recommended to define a strategy for management of idiopathic facial paralysis.
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie. Electronic address: imenachour2@gmail.com.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Achour
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chakroun
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ayedi
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Ben Rhaiem
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mnejja
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Charfeddine
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Hammami
authors: Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ghorbel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents