Recurrent Facial Paralysis in a 14-Year-Old Due to Brazilian Lyme Disease: A Case Report

Lyme disease is a prevalent infection in the northern hemisphere, affecting approximately 450,000 new cases annually in the United States and 65,000 in Europe. This illness is spread by the bite of ticks harboring Borrelia spirochetes and develops in three progressive phases. In the second phase, neurological complications are common, including cranial nerve involvement. Notably, facial nerve neuropathy occurs in about 10% of adults with neurological symptoms, with an even higher incidence among pediatric cases. In this context, a 14-year-old female patient presented with acute facial paralysis that initially improved but recurred on the same side several months later. Comprehensive evaluation led to a diagnosis of Lyme disease, and following targeted treatment, she experienced a marked recovery of her symptoms.