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Facial nerve paralysis (facial nerve palsy)

Disease Information

Overview

"Our caring professionals understand that a lack of facial expression can cause a variety of functional and social problems for your child. That's why we make it our mission to offer the most advanced and effective means of managing symptoms."

Amir Taghinia, MD, Boston Children's Hospital Facial Reanimation Program

Among the 12 nerves that grow directly out of the brain—known as the cranial nerves—it’s the seventh nerve that makes it possible for a child to smile, frown and even raise her eyebrows, puff out her cheeks and blink her eyelids.

This nerve, called the facial nerve, runs from the brain behind the ear and down into the parotid gland (large salivary gland) inside the cheek. At that point, it splits off into separate branches that control different muscles throughout the face.

When a child’s facial nerve is damaged, does not work properly or is not completely formed, facial nerve paralysis, also referred to as facial nerve palsy, can result. Facial nerve paralysis:

  • can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired (occurring because of trauma, infection, injury or as a complication of another disease or disorder)
  • sometimes happens for no known reason
  • most often affects the eyes or mouth
  • can cause self-esteem and social issues for children as they grow
  • can usually be managed and improved to some degree  

There are several medical diagnoses that can accompany facial nerve paralysis, including:

Treatment options for your child will depend on his age, his symptoms, the degree of facial paralysis he is experiencing and any associated condition he may have. Typically, treatment for facial nerve paralysis will range from surgery to non-invasive support services to a combination of the two.

Here at Children’s Hospital Boston, we will bring together experts across medical disciplines to evaluate your child’s specific needs and circumstances. We recognize your child as an individual—never “just a patient”—and we will involve you in the treatment process at every step of the way.

How Children’s Hospital Boston approaches facial nerve paralysis

Children’s has a long and distinguished history of caring for children with craniofacial anomalies and nerve disorders. Clinicians in our Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery are regarded as international leaders in understanding and treating complex conditions that affect:

  • facial appearance and function
  • nursing/feeding
  • chewing and swallowing
  • speech and language

In particular, Children’s has a dedicated Facial Reanimation Program that treats all aspects of facial nerve paralysis and paresis (partial paralysis). Our multidisciplinary team approach involves:

Our caring professionals also understand that a lack of facial expression can cause a variety of functional and social problems for your child. That's why we make it our mission to offer the most advanced and effective means of managing symptoms—so that your child can live an active, fulfilled and happy life.

What is facial reanimation, exactly? 

 Learn all about it in this video clip featuring Children’s plastic surgeon Amir Taghinia, MD.

 Facial nerve paralysis (facial nerve palsy): Reviewed by Amir Taghinia, MD
© Children’s Hospital Boston; posted in 2011

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