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Epidemiologic and clinical features of Bell's palsy among children in Northern California

Ali Rowhani-Rahbar1, Roger Baxter, Barry Rasgon

  • 1Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center, Oakland, Calif. 94612, USA. ali.x.rowhani-rahbar@kp.org

Neuroepidemiology
|June 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Bell

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epidemiology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Bell's palsy (BP) is acute, idiopathic, unilateral facial nerve paralysis.
  • Limited population-based studies exist on childhood BP.
  • This study investigates BP in a large pediatric healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the epidemiologic and clinical features of Bell's palsy in children.
  • To establish incidence rates of childhood Bell's palsy.
  • To identify demographic and temporal patterns of pediatric Bell's palsy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of children (≤18 years) diagnosed with Bell's palsy (ICD-9 code 351.0) from 2001-2006.
  • Cases were adjudicated by an otolaryngologist.
  • Epidemiologic and clinical data were collected via chart abstraction.

Main Results:

  • 84.1% of 977 initially identified cases were confirmed as definite or probable Bell's palsy.
  • The overall incidence rate was 18.8 per 100,000 person-years.
  • Incidence increased with age, was higher in females, and showed no seasonal pattern.

Conclusions:

  • Bell's palsy in children may be more prevalent than previously thought.
  • This study provides crucial data on the epidemiology of pediatric Bell's palsy.
  • Findings highlight the need for increased awareness and research into childhood facial nerve paralysis.
Abstract

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