Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Congenital Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis is the paralysis of the VII. Cranial nerve (Nervus facialis), which innervates the facial muscles and mimic muscles. The facial nerve has motor, sensory and parasympathetic fibers. The motor fibers innervate the facial muscles, the sensory fibers innervate the 2/3 front part of the tongue, and the autonomous fibers innervate the lacrimal gland. Congenital Facial Paralysis (CFP) can manifest before, during or after birth, with a frequency of 1.2-2.4/1000 (1). It causes facial asymmetry and affects eating and talking due to involvement of mimic muscles (2). Facial paralysis is a rare condition in the neonatal period, and it can be developmental or caused by by trauma. Although the most common cause is trauma during delivery, it may be observed in association with genetic syndromes and inner-ear structural abnormalities.