Bilateral Bell's palsy in a pregnant woman

Bell's palsy is a peripheral facial palsy of unknown etiology. During pregnancy, there is an increased incidence of idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy). Nevertheless, bilateral facial paralysis in pregnant woman is a rare phenomenon with only a few case reports in medical literature. We report on a patient with bilateral facial paralysis in pregnancy, with a review of the literature and possible etiologic factors. The patient was treated conservatively and the left facial palsy resolved completely, whereas on the right side there was a residual lesion of facial function. The etiology, treatment and prognosis of Bell's palsy in pregnancy remain controversial.