Enlightenment: Facial paralysis
birth trama, too much pressure behind the ear at birth, probably from a hand, or forceps
from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... nd%20tests
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Damage to the facial nerve (also called the seventh cranial nerve) just before or at the time of delivery may cause paralysis to the same side of the face stimulated by the damaged nerve. The entire side -- from the forehead to the chin -- may be involved in severe cases.
The most common form involves only the lower branch of the facial nerve, however. This nerve controls the facial muscles surrounding the lips, and the defect is seen predominantly when the infant cries.
Since the facial muscles on the affected side are weak, the mouth is pulled towards the normal side during crying. Generally, the nerve has been damaged by pressure and the nerve fiber itself has not been torn, in which case, the injury heals and the face returns to normal over a few weeks to months.
Most of the times, a congenital (present from birth) facial nerve palsy like this one has no apparent cause. Occasionally, however, a difficult delivery, with or without the use of forceps (instruments used by physicians to facilitate the delivery of the baby´s head), may result in facial paralysis.
Some factors are associated with birth trauma, including prolonged pregnancy, epidural anesthesia, prolonged labor, oxytocin use (a medication used to induce labor and increase the strength of contractions of the uterus during labor), and large baby size (for instance, when the mother suffers from diabetes). However, most mothers who have these factors do not deliver babies with facial palsy or birth trauma.
The good news:
Expectations (prognosis)
Full, spontaneous recovery is the typical outcome.
more information on this subject:
http://www.pediatric-ent.com/learning/p ... _nerve.htm
so it seems, it's not 'related' to the brachial plexus injury...but it happened at the same time... I like to call these bonuses
extremely interesting:
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cranial.html
our next move is the ENT
Speech difficulties,
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: Speech difficulties,
thanks for the bump. interesting.