Congenital and acquired facial nerve paralysis in children.

Facial nerve paralysis in children should be considered distinct from that which occurs in adults. The author submits a slightly different classification of facial nerve paralysis in children based on traditional thinking. Specifically, acquired facial nerve paralysis is thought to be influenced by both prenatal and postnatal factors. This segregated approach toward acquired paralysis should allow a clearer understanding of the pathophysiology of in utero factors.