Boston Facial Paralysis Attorneys
Facial paralysis is the loss of voluntary muscle control due to interference in the neurological signals passed from the central nervous system to the facial nerves.
This can be due to a lesion or pressure. The degree of facial paralysis can be severe, involving everything from the chin to the forehead on the affected side of the face and may manifest in no facial movement at all. Alternatively, the paralysis can be mild with only slight damage around the mouth. In newborns, this minor paralysis is only obvious during crying. Other areas of the face that can be affected are the eyelids and the cheeks, causing difficulty in smiling, frowning and blinking or closing both eyes. In addition, drooling, tearing, lack of saliva or dry eye can also be problems associated with paralysis of the face.
Causes
There are numerous causes for facial paralysis, but all involve damage to at least one facial nerve. In some cases, the nerve damage is irrevocable, but many times the nerve or nerves will restore themselves when the cause of the paralysis is removed or alleviated. In other cases, drug therapy or surgery will improve or reverse the paralysis.
Conditions or events that can cause facial nerve paralysis are the following:
- Physical trauma to the face and skull that may occur in situations like auto accidents, sports injuries or assault
- Bell’s palsy
- Stroke
- Infection
- Birth injury
- Brain tumor
- Facelift surgery
- Lyme disease
Acquired Facial Paralysis in Newborns
Just prior to or at the time of birth, damage to an infant's facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve) can cause facial paralysis. Often, the cause of this injury is unknown, but during a prolonged or difficult delivery, and sometimes with the use of forceps or vacuum extraction, this condition can occur. Although it is not common, medication used to initiate or augment labor or anesthetize the mother can lead to birth trauma resulting in facial paralysis. Many times the paralysis is temporary and disappears on its own within the first days, weeks or months of life. In some cases, the paralysis continues and surgery is necessary to restore or improve facial muscle function. Not all facial paralysis is caused by a traumatic birth. Certain injuries in children can be responsible, such as head injuries, lacerations that actually sever the facial nerve and injury to the specific muscles that control facial movement. In addition, sometimes a congenital condition, viral infection or the surgical removal of tumors can affect the facial nerve, resulting in paralysis.
Adjusting to Facial Paralysis
If the paralysis does not improve on its own, both the baby and the parents will be facing emotional and physical challenges. New parents never expect their innocent baby to suffer from injury, and the feelings of grief and worry can be overwhelming. As the child grows, different interventions can be attempted. Any dysfunction, if permanent, may be a source of additional pain for a child because the social aspect of a facial difference can result in ridicule from other children and frustration from not being able to communicate effectively without the use of facial expression.
If your loved one has suffered facial paralysis due to someone else’s negligence, schedule a free consultation with the Boston birth injury lawyers at the Kiley Law Group today.
