Definition of Facial nerve palsy due to birth trauma:

Facial nerve palsy due to birth trauma is the loss of controllable (voluntary) muscle movement in an infant's face due to pressure on the facial nerves just before or at the time of delivery.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The infant's facial nerve (also called the seventh cranial nerve) can be damaged just before or at the time of delivery.

Most of the time the cause is unknown. However, a difficult delivery, with or without the use of instruments called forceps, may lead to this condition.

Some factors that can cause birth trauma (injury) include:

• Large baby size (may be seen if the mother has diabetes)
• Long pregnancy or labor
• Use of epidural anesthesia
• Use of a medication to cause labor and stronger contractions

However, most of the time these factors do not lead to facial nerve palsy or birth trauma.