BELL'S PALSY AFTER INFLUENZA VACCINATION IN AN 8-YEAR-OLD CHILD: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE EUROPEAN LITERATURE IN EUDRAVIGILANCE

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594832406097

• Palavras-chave: parálisis facial, vacuna, niños, reacción adversa , influenza

• Keywords: facial palsy, vaccine, children, adverse reaction

• Abstract: Case report: In December 2021, we had the opportunity to treat an 8-year-old boy who developed a right facial palsy following Influenze vaccine. On 30th November, 2021, our patient received his first dose of Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine. On 28 December, 2021 , our patient received his second dose of  VaxigripTetra Vaccine. On 29 December, 2021 (24 hours), he developed right facial pain with a House-Brackmann grade III facial palsy. The SARS-CoV-2 PCR test was negative in nasal swab, and IgG SARS-CoV-2 was also negative. Deflazacort (1,5 ml/Kg/day) and eye support were prescribed. Facial palsy began to improve four days after, and full recovery was achieved. EudraVigilance report: We reviewed the European database report of facial palsy or Bell´s palsy for 3-11 years-old patients, looking for similar patients between 2021-2022. We collected 53 patients with facial palsy after drugs or vaccines between 2021-2022. Out of them, 41 facial palsy patients were developed after vaccines: 17 COVID-19 vaccine, 8 influenza (5 H1Vi pandemic vaccine) and 5 Papilloma Virus vaccine. Conclusion:  Data from Eudravigilance suggests that vaccines play a role in etiopathogenetic of the Bell´s palsy. Out of 53 children who developed a facial palsy after drug or vaccine in the last ten years, 77% were developed after vaccination. In this pandemic COVID-19 vaccination campaign, otolaryngologist must be alert on these nerve pathology in the paediatric population.