Facial Paralysis
Facial Paralysis in newborns is a birth defect caused by a compression or damage to the facial nerve either while in the mother's womb or through a traumatic delivery. A common way to diagnose facial paralysis is by watching the newborn baby as it cries. Damage to the facial nerve, also called the seventh cranial nerve, will show on the baby's face. The newborn child will not be able to move the side or portion of the face, including eyes and mouth, that has been inflicted by facial paralysis.
Many cases of facial paralysis are not permanent. Usually the nerve fiber has not been damaged or torn to an extent for the baby to suffer lifelong consequences due to the traumatic birth delivery (TBI) or other cause of facial paralysis. In these cases, the side of the baby's face that is afflicted by the paralysis sustains the lack of movement for several weeks until the paralysis slowly wanes and the infant is able to control more and more of his/her facial muscles.
Facial paralysis may be caused by several factors, including:
Traumatic Birth Delivery
Forceps
Prolonged Pregnancy
Epidural Anesthesia
Prolonged Labor,
Medication (Oxytocin, etc.)
If the damage to the facial nerve is serious, then surgery and special
therapy may be required.
Here at NewYorkBirthDefects.com we use our years of experience in handling birth defect cases to investigate every possible factor that would cause a birth defect and to ensure that you and your child will receive full compensation for your child’s injuries.
If you feel your child has been injured as a result of a birth injury please call now to ensure you take the right steps. The initial consultation is free “if we don’t win you don’t pay,” so call immediately.
