[Bell's palsy in children: analysis of clinical findings and course].

To evaluate treatment of Bell's palsy (acute idiopathic peripheral facial nerve paralysis) of children, the authors analyzed 38 cases (18 females, 20 males) of Bell's palsy in children aged below 16 years old. The mean age of all cases was 6.8 +/- 6.2 years old. All cases resulted in complete recovery within 6 months. Clinical score of facial motor functions were adapted to 17 patients who were more than 5 years old. They were divided into two groups: early recovery group (clinical symptoms recovered within 3 months; 10 cases) and later recover group (over 3 months; 7 cases). Clinical scores evaluated in the first week from the onset were not significantly different. Steroid therapy was used for 9 patients of early group and 6 patient of later group. All patients of this study were recovered, thus we could not evaluate effect of steroid therapy for Bell's palsy in children. Use of steroid therapy for Bell's palsy needs more concretely administration. We consider how the region locates near to the center is an important prognostic factor.