[Facial palsy and pregnancy: management and treatment]

Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2013 Aug;35(8):368-72. doi: 10.1590/s0100-72032013000800006.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the degree of peripheral facial palsy of pregnant women and puerperae at admission and at discharge and to evaluate related factors.

Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study, with analysis of medical records of pregnant and postpartum women with facial palsy, over a period of 12 months, with application of a standardized protocol for patient evaluation and of the House-Brackmann scale on the occasion of the first visit and at discharge.

Results: Six patients were identified, mean age of 22.6 years. Five cases were classified as stage IV and one as stage II on the House-Brackmann scale, being two of them puerperae and four pregnant. All showed improvement on the House-Brackmann scale.

Conclusion: The Bell's palsy has a good prognosis even in pregnant and postpartum women, being important to perform the correct treatment to reduce the sequelae in this group identified as more susceptible to peripheral facial palsy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Facial Paralysis* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult