Bell’s Palsy in Children – Post Test

An 8-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department (ED) by his mother because she noticed that his face was drooping on one side. She thinks her son has had a stroke because this is what happened to her father recently.

Which of the following features on history suggests a cause of facial paralysis other than Bell’s palsy in children?

Which of the following is the cause of the facial paralysis associated with Bell’s palsy?

A 4-year-old child is brought to hospital by her mother with a history of 24 hours of earache and rubbing the right eye. On examination you find evidence of right-sided facial nerve paralysis. You suspect Bell’s palsy.

What is required prior to discharge in all such cases?

You suggest Bell’s palsy as a possible diagnosis in a child presenting to your ED with acute unilateral facial nerve paralysis after a full history of current episode and full examination which reveals no worrying features.

How will you manage this patient?

You make a provisional diagnosis of Bell’s palsy in a child presenting to the ED.

For which of the following management options is there currently good available evidence for cure/resolution of symptoms?