Abstract

Background: In children, facial neuropathy is the most common disease that occurs due to damage of the cranial nerves. Facial nerve palsy (FNP) in children can be congenital or acquired. Congenital FNP may occur at birth due to trauma and with certain genetic syndromes. Acquired FNP can be caused by HSV types 1,2, HHV-6, cytomegalovirus, EBV, VZV, the bacterium B. burgdorferi or can result from inflammatory diseases, trauma and tumors. Unilateral or bilateral FNP is the most common complication of Lyme disease in children. The study that was conducted by Furuta Y. et al. indicates that reactivation of VZV infection is an important cause of acute peripheral FNP in children aged 6-15 years. Case Report: We have described a rare clinical case of bilateral peripheral FNP in a 14-year-old child with a confirmed diagnosis of Lyme disease and reactivation of VZV infection. Conclusions: Prescribed therapy with doxycycline for 21 days and valaciclovir for 7 days made it possible to achieve functional recovery of nerve on both sides.