Neonatology: birth-related facial nerve palsy: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Neonatology: birth-related facial nerve palsy

Sample item

A newborn delivered with forceps cries with the mouth drawn to the right. The left eye stays open, and forehead wrinkling is absent on the left. What is the most appropriate management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Eye lubricant and observation for spontaneous recovery

Peripheral facial nerve palsy from pressure on the nerve during delivery usually recovers spontaneously over days to weeks. Care consists of protecting the exposed cornea with lubricating drops and observing, with intervention only if there is no recovery.

Option by option

  • A. Early surgical nerve grafting

    Surgery is considered only for nerve transection or no recovery after months.

  • B. High-dose systemic corticosteroids

    Steroids have no established role in birth-related palsy.

  • C. Eye lubricant and observation for spontaneous recovery (correct)

    Correct. Corneal protection and observation are enough as most recover on their own.

  • D. Immediate MRI of the posterior fossa

    Neuroimaging is not needed when the cause is evident and the palsy is isolated.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Eye lubricant and observation for spontaneous recovery. Peripheral facial nerve palsy from pressure on the nerve during delivery usually recovers spontaneously over days to weeks.

Why is "Early surgical nerve grafting" not the answer?

Surgery is considered only for nerve transection or no recovery after months.

Why is "High-dose systemic corticosteroids" not the answer?

Steroids have no established role in birth-related palsy.

Why is "Immediate MRI of the posterior fossa" not the answer?

Neuroimaging is not needed when the cause is evident and the palsy is isolated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: birth-related facial nerve palsy in Pediatrics. Care consists of protecting the exposed cornea with lubricating drops and observing, with intervention only if there is no recovery.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neonatology: birth-related facial nerve palsy?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.