Acute facial nerve palsy in children in a Lyme disease–endemic area in the Netherlands

R. A. Bruinsma, C. A. Smulders, Y. M. Vermeeren, B. van Kooten, E. A. Cats, B. van Hees, M. Boele van Hensbroek, J. W. Hovius, T. P. Zomer

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4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We assessed the prevalence of Lyme neuroborreliosis in children with acute facial nerve palsy in a Lyme-endemic region and patient characteristics associated with this. All children visiting one of three participating hospitals between January 2010 and December 2016 were included in the study. Of 104 children referred to the hospital with facial nerve palsy, 43% had Lyme neuroborreliosis and 57% idiopathic facial palsy. Characteristics significantly associated with Lyme neuroborreliosis were headache (55% versus 18%), meningeal irritation (21% versus 5%), presentation in summer months (69% versus 37%), and a previous tick bite (33% versus 7%).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2455-2458
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases
Volume40
Issue number11
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Keywords

  • Borrelia
  • Children
  • Facial nerve palsy
  • Lyme disease
  • Lyme neuroborreliosis

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