The Efficacy of Acyclovir in Childhood Bell’s Palsy
Journal Title: Turkish Journal of Neurology - Year 2020, Vol 26, Issue 2
Abstract
Objective: Bell’s palsy is an acute onset, unilateral, self-limiting paresis or paralysis of the facial nerve. The objective in treatment is to increase facial functions and to accelerate recovery by suppressing this inflammatory process. Steroids and acyclovir (singly or in combination) are used in medical treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical profile of Bell’s palsy in childhood and to compare the efficacy of combined acyclovir-prednisolone therapy with that of prednisolone therapy alone. Materials and Methods: Eighty-six patients diagnosed as having Bell’s palsy were enrolled in the study. All patients were assessed in terms of facial nerve dysfunction and recovery time using the House-Brackman Facial Nerve Grading scale (HBFNGS) at initial presentation and at the 15th day, and the first, third, and sixth months. Grade 4 and above was assessed as severe, and lower grades were regarded as mild. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.5 (±2.4) years. Forty-six (57.6%) patients received prednisolone therapy only, and 34 (42.4%) were started on a combination of oral acyclovir and prednisolone therapy, 29 of whom were in the severe category. Analysis of HBFNGS at one month revealed that the addition of acyclovir to treatment had no effect on the recovery period. However, combination therapy seems more beneficial in severe cases. Conclusion: Bell’s palsy frequently resolves entirely in childhood, and an acyclovir plus prednisolone combination is not superior to prednisolone alone except in severe cases.
Authors and Affiliations
Gürkan Gürbüz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP685146
- DOI 10.4274/tnd.2020.29895
- Views 214
- Downloads 0
Complete Recovery in Cryptogenic NORSE with Early Immunotherapy: A Case Report
The term new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is used for patients who do not have a history of seizures and a structural disorder and in whom no etiology can be found. Its treatment is very difficult and its...
Giant Carotid Aneurysm Causing Acute Ischemic Stroke
no summary
Evaluation of Sensory Nerve Conduction Studies and Hematologic Parameters in Restless Legs Syndrome
Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) presents with sensory symptoms such as burning in the legs, patients want to move their legs. Symptoms become apparent at rest and at night. The aim of this study was to investigat...
Modelling Non-motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease: AAV Mediated Overexpression of Alpha-synuclein in Rat Hippocampus and Basal Ganglia
Objective: Our aim was to investigate the relation between unilateral hippocampal and/or nigral alpha-synucleinopathy and cognitive dysfunction, anxiety and anhedonia. Materials and Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats w...
Prevalence of Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Study from South India
Objective: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) play a vital role in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD) and have become the leading cause of deterioration of quality of life with the progression of the disease. The aim of the present...