Anotace:
Aim: This study aimed to analyze the different characteristics of FNLs in children focusing on demographics, etiology, diagnostic and therapeutic process, improvement after therapy, and relapse rate in a tertiary center. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of 572 children (0 to 18 years) who were admitted to the University Hospital with facial nerve lesion (FNL) during a 10-year period (2011–2021). The data were gathered from patients´ medical files to analyze age, sex, side of FNL, etiology, the diagnostic process including radiological examinations, treatment methods, improvement after therapy, and relapse rate. Results: There were 554 unilateral and 18 bilateral cases without significant laterality differences. Girls were affected in 301 (52.6%) cases and boys in 271 (47.4%) cases. The median age was 9.4 ± 4.7 years. The mean House-Brackmann (HB) score was 3.6 ± 1.0. Two main causes whose representation was balanced were detected. Infectious causes occurred in 264 (46.2%) cases and idiopathic causes occurred in 255 (44.6%) cases. Borreliosis was the most common infectious cause in 216 (81.8%) cases. The third most common cause was of neoplastic origin in 15 (2.6%) cases. The following causes were traumatic, congenital, and others. Incomplete FNL was detected in 556 (97.2%) cases and complete FNL was found in 16 (2.8%) cases. Corticosteroids were administered in 360 patients, and antibiotics/ antivirals were given to 311 patients. Surgery was performed in 26 patients. 94.7 % of patients showed improvement after therapy while 5.3% did not, and 1.0% had an unknown outcome. For the infectious causes, improvement after therapy was seen in 99.2% of patients and idiopathic causes saw improvement in 98% of patients. Patients with infectious, idiopathic, and traumatic causes of paresis had a higher percentage of recovery compared to patients with neoplastic causes. Conclusions: FNL in children is a relatively common acute condition in pediatric care. Many different causes of FNL were described, the most common being infectious and idiopathic. A detailed clinical history and clinical examination are mandatory. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are most commonly prescribed medicaments. Opinions on the treatment remain controversial. The prognosis of FNL in children is usually favorable.