Car seat palsy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neurology
• Trauma surgery
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Peripheral facial nerve paralysis is uncommon in pediatric trauma.
• Soft tissue injuries can lead to neurological deficits, though rarely described.

Observation:

• A young boy sustained isolated paralysis of the buccal division of the facial nerve.
• The injury resulted from a road traffic accident involving a collision with a child seat's cushioned side.
• No associated bony injury or other trauma was noted.

Findings:

• The case demonstrates that peripheral facial nerve palsy can occur due to indirect soft tissue trauma in children.
• Facial nerve injury was evident without any fracture or direct impact on the nerve.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive clinical examination in pediatric patients with trauma.
• Subtle neurological deficits, such as peripheral facial nerve paralysis, may be missed without meticulous assessment.
• Highlights the potential for non-bony trauma to cause significant neurological injury in children.