P11: Other birth injuries to central nervous system
P11.3: Birth injury to facial nerve
The facial nerve runs from both sides of the brain to different parts of the head. The nerve does different things. For example, it controls a lot of facial muscles. The nerve is also important for our sense of taste. It also affects our hearing and how much saliva and tears are formed.
There are various reasons for damage to the child’s facial nerve. If there are difficulties with a vaginal birth, a forceps may need to be used. The forceps can be used to grip the child's head from both sides in order to pull the child out of the vagina. The child’s facial nerve can get damaged in the process. The facial nerve can also get damaged if the child is very big or if the birth takes longer than usual.
A damaged facial nerve can cause the face to be unusually contorted when crying. It may also be that the mouth is pulled to the side that is not affected, or that one eye cannot be closed properly.
Patient Disclaimer
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For a complete understanding of your condition and what the diagnosis means for you, please speak directly with your doctor.