AMAV VICDOC SUMMER 2023 - Magazine - Page 9
REP ORT
NEW RESEARCH
ON TEMPORARY
FACIAL PARALYSIS
IN CHILDREN
—
Most children with a condition that causes a temporary
weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face recover
without medication within six months, according to a
new study. The research, led by the Murdoch Children’s
Research Institute and published in Neurology, found the
steroid prednisolone does not significantly impact on a
child’s recovery from Bell’s palsy.
Murdoch Children’s Professor Franz Babl said while
studies had shown steroid use in adults with Bell’s
palsy helped improve symptoms by minimising facial
nerve swelling and damage within the temporal bone,
similar research hadn’t been available for children. The
randomised-controlled trial involved 187 participants,
aged six months to 17 years, who presented to
emergency departments (EDs) with Bell’s palsy.
The study was staged in 11 ED’s in the Paediatric
Research in Emergency Departments International
Collaborative (PREDICT) research network in Australia
and New Zealand. They were recruited within 72 hours
after symptom onset and received 10 days of treatment
with prednisolone or a placebo (no active drug). The
study found 57 per cent of those who didn’t take any
medication recovered facial function at one month,
85 per cent at three months and 93 per cent at six
months. For those assigned prednisolone, 49 per cent
recovered at one month, 90 per cent at three months
and 99 per cent at six months. There were no serious
side effects recorded during the trial and the most
common adverse reactions were temporary changes
in behaviour and increased appetite.
Bell’s palsy, which causes half of the face to droop,
is the third most common condition causing a sudden
change in nerve function in children. In most cases the
exact cause of the facial weakness is unknown but may be
related to a viral infection. “The lack of evidence on the
use of steroids in children with Bell’s palsy in children has
led to variable practice in their treatment,” Professor Babl
said. Discovering that early treatment with prednisolone
doesn’t hasten recovery will help GPs, emergency
physicians and paediatricians in their discussion with
affected families and make better informed decisions.”
Click here to contact Bridie Byrne
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
What's
On
—
21/9
World Alzheimer's Day
21/9
World Heart Day
1—31/10
Breast Cancer
Awareness Month
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Awareness Week
10/10
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VI CD O C SPRI N G 2022
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