Facial Nerve Palsy in Neonates Secondary to Forceps Use

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the presentation, treatment, and outcome of neonates presenting with facial nerve palsy resulting from forceps use. DESIGN: Retrospective medical chart review. SETTING: Two tertiary care pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Neonates with facial nerve palsy caused by forceps use born during the period of April 1, 1989, to April 1, 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Resolution of facial nerve palsy. RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases of facial nerve palsy caused by forceps use were identified. The palsy was classified as mild to moderate according to the House-Brackman scale. Except in 1 neonate, no treatment was initiated in any of the patients. All 21 neonates with adequate long-term follow-up recovered fully after an average period of 24 days. CONCLUSION: Because facial nerve palsy caused by forceps use is generally mild and is associated with a favorable outcome, treatment with corticosteroids or surgery is generally not required.