Evaluation of Cortisone Treatment in Children With Acute Facial Nerve Palsy

Exclusion Criteria

• •1. Head trauma \<1 month
• •2. Central or bilateral facial nerve palsy
• •3. Malformations in head and neck
• •4. Conditions not compatible with cortisone treatment (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder, active or latent tuberculosis, intolerance of lactose)
• •5. Current or past oncological diagnosis
• •6. Other serious medical conditions (meningitis, encephalitis, stroke)
• •7. Acute otitis media
• •8. Signs of herpes simplex or varicella zoster infection (vesicles in the ear region)
• •9. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• •10. Use of any systemic or inhaled steroids within 2 weeks prior onset of symptoms
• •11. Immunization with live vaccine 1 month prior onset of symptoms
• •12. Requirement of live vaccine within 2 months from start of experimental treatment (prednisolone or placebo)
• •13. Evaluation of primary endpoint at 12 months not feasible for any reason
• •14. Previously included into the FACE study