Retrospective review reveals younger age and elevated inflammation in otitis media-associated pediatric facial palsy, highlighting the need to check for underlying ear pathology.
Key Points
To evaluate differences in clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and underlying complications between acute otitis media-associated peripheral facial nerve palsy and Bell's palsy in hospitalized children.
Retrospective review of hospitalized pediatric patients with non-traumatic and non-surgical peripheral facial nerve palsy at a tertiary care children's hospital (N=131 included after excluding 46 of 177).
Children with otitis media-associated facial palsy (n=80) were significantly younger (38.8 ± 50.4 vs. 96.6 ± 74.7 months, p < 0.001) and presented more often during winter months (32.5% vs. 25.5%, p < 0.05) than those with Bell's palsy (n=51).
Otitis media-associated cases exhibited higher median CRP levels [1.3 (IQR 0.18–4.2) vs. 0 (IQR 0–0) mg/dL, p < 0.005] with equivalent corticosteroid use (87.5% vs. 88.2%, p = 0.9); four otitis media patients and zero Bell's palsy patients had additional underlying petrous bone or middle ear pathology.