# A Case Report of Familial Facial Nerve Palsy in an Infant

## TL;DR

A three-year-old child with facial nerve palsy and a family history of the condition showed full recovery after treatment with steroids and eye drops.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a rare familial occurrence of facial nerve palsy in infants and its successful treatment.

## Key findings

- The patient had unilateral facial nerve palsy with a family history of similar cases.
- Treatment with steroids and ocular lubricant led to full recovery within three months.
- The case suggests that treatment strategies for older children may be applicable to infants.

## Abstract

This is a case report of a three-year-old patient who was evaluated in the emergency department with noted facial nerve palsy in the setting of a family history of facial nerve palsy at similar ages. The patient presented with unilateral facial nerve palsy, with multiple family members experiencing this illness at young ages. Data is still insufficient to know the optimal treatment in this age group; however, following data for ages 10 and above, steroids and ocular lubricant were prescribed, and the patient was sent for follow up with their primary care physician and was referred to a neurologist. The toddler at three months follow up had complete resolution of the facial nerve palsy without complication.