Resumo

ZACANINO, Ezequiel; JUAREZ, Ximena  e  BURUNDARENA, Carmen. Peripheral facial paralysis as an uncommon manifestation of epstein-barr virus infection: a pediatric case report and literature review. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2025, vol.52, n.3, pp.231-236. ISSN 1683-9803.  https://doi.org/10.31698/ped.52032025011.

Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) in pediatrics is usually idiopathic, classically attributed to reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), although it can be secondary to other viral infections; among these, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) represents a very rare association with few published reports. We present the case of an 8-year-old girl, previously healthy, who presented with fever, odynophagia, asthenia, cervical lymphadenopathy, and right-sided PFP. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and elevated liver enzymes. Serological tests confirmed acute EBV infection (positive anti-VCA IgM, negative anti-VCA IgG), with all other tests being negative. No vesicles were found in the ear canal. She received systemic corticosteroids and physical therapy, showing clinical improvement from the second week onward. The association between EBV and facial paralysis, although rare, should be considered in children with symptoms consistent with mononucleosis who present with facial paralysis. Early corticosteroid treatment may improve the prognosis.

Palavras-chave : Epstein-Barr virus; facial paralysis; infectious mononucleosis.

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