Facial paralysis, otherwise known as facial palsy, is one of the most common forms of birth injury. Like other birth injuries, facial paralysis could be the result of medical malpractice. Regardless of whether or not a child’s facial paralysis originated from malpractice or otherwise, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with its causes, symptoms, and prognosis. Below, we have laid out the basics of facial paralysis.
Facial paralysis, otherwise known as facial palsy, is one of the most common forms of birth injury. Here are its causes, symptoms, and prognosis.
Causes
The facial nerve of a child can be damaged, causing facial paralysis, by means that are both natural and unnatural. To begin with the former, the bone from a mother’s pelvis can induce facial palsy in a child. This could be due to the large size of the baby, the small size of the mother’s pelvis, or the angle of the baby’s birth.
It may be difficult to accept, but medical professionals and the procedures they use can cause facial paralysis in a baby. Most commonly, it is caused by forceps. Occasionally, medical professionals will use forceps to assist in moving a baby along the birth canal. In most cases, this procedure is without harm. However, facial palsy due to birth trauma has occurred. If you believe this may have been a result of medical malpractice, please consider hiring a lawyer.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the birth injury of facial paralysis are, for the most part, what you might expect. If your child has facial palsy, their face may exhibit noticeable asymmetry. You might notice a drooping one side of your child’s face, or observe that their smile is not perfectly symmetrical, either. Beyond the visual aspect of facial paralysis, your child may drool, have difficulties speaking, or be unable to blink fully. In this case, your child could require further care.
Prognosis
Unlike many birth injuries, facial palsy often goes away with time. If it persists and is severe, however, your child may require further care. Fortunately, as with cerebral palsy, an increasing number of treatments are available. If your child is having difficulties speaking, a trained speech pathologist may be able to help. Physical therapy and certain medications may be an advantage as well. There are even reconstructive surgeries designed to combat facial palsy. Knowing that your child experienced a birth injury can be devastating. Fortunately, the world is more equipped to address them than ever before.
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