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Bell palsy complicating pregnancy: a review
Y Cohen1, O Lavie, S Granovsky-Grisaru
1Maternal Fetal Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey
|March 14, 2000
Summary
Bell palsy (BP), a sudden facial paralysis, is more common in pregnant women due to physiological changes. While recovery is typically good, clinicians should be aware of management considerations during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Obstetrics
- Gynecology
Background:
- Bell palsy (BP) is an acute idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis of unknown cause.
- Women of reproductive age are 2-4 times more likely to develop BP than men.
- Pregnant women present with BP 3.3 times more frequently than non-pregnant women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review published evidence on the association between Bell palsy and pregnancy.
- To identify potential etiologies of BP in pregnancy.
- To describe the clinical presentation, prognosis, and management of BP during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published evidence on Bell palsy and pregnancy.
- Analysis of epidemiological data regarding BP incidence in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women.
- Synthesis of information on potential contributing factors, clinical course, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Pregnancy is associated with a higher incidence of Bell palsy, particularly in the third trimester and puerperium.
- Potential contributing factors include increased extracellular fluid, viral inflammation, and immunosuppression during pregnancy.
- Recovery from Bell palsy is generally favorable, with rare exceptions like recurrence or bilateral involvement.
Conclusions:
- Bell palsy in pregnancy warrants clinical awareness due to potential associations with hypertension and toxemia.
- Management is primarily supportive; corticosteroid use in pregnancy remains controversial.
- Neonatal outcomes appear unaffected, though data is limited.