[Facial paralysis in children--study of 99 cases].

Ninety-nine cases of peripheral facial paralysis in children treated at Ste. Justine's Hospital over a 10 year period were reviewed. Sexes were nearly equally affected with a slightly higher incidence in female. Cases were distributed quite evenly throughout childhood except for a definitely higher incidence in the 0--2 year old group. Trauma, Bell's palsy, and otomastoid inflammation were found to be the most frequent causes of facial palsy in that group of cases. Cases of otomastoid inflammation did generally well on antibiotics and nearly 70 per cent so recovered completely. Twenty per cent only had to undergo simple mastoidectomy and two cases a decompression. Out of 25 cases of Bell's palsy, 18 recovered totally without surgery and four were decompressed with total or partial recovery. Following this study, the need for a more complete evaluation and somewhat more standardized treatment became obvious. This may permit in the future a more adequate knowledge of the problem and likely a better management.