Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: recurrent facial swelling and food refusal

Patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) experience prolonged periods of functional impairment due to partial or complete facial paralysis and orofacial oedema that interferes with their ability to eat, drink, taste, express emotions and speak. Younger children with MRS are at high risk of nasogastric feeding dependency and additional chronic feeding challenges due to the cumulative impacts of disease flares during the period when feeding skills and interest in foods are first developed. We present a case of a boy in early childhood who presented multiple times over a 4 month period with predominant symptoms of recurrent unilateral facial swelling and significantly reduced oral intake and who was eventually diagnosed with MRS.