Bell’s palsy after inactivated COVID-19 vaccination in an adolescent: A case report

Abstract

Bell’s palsy has been reported following COVID-19 vaccination in adults. Here, we report a case of an adolescent male with unilateral peripheral facial palsy after receiving the BBIBP-CorV vaccine. An electrodiagnostic study confirmed the diagnosis. The patient made a complete recovery after medical and rehabilitation treatment. Objectives: This is the first case report of Bell’s palsy following the administration of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in an adolescent. Study design: A case report. Setting: Chulabhorn Hospital, Lak Si, Bangkok, Thailand. Subject: An adolescent male with unilateral peripheral facial palsy after receiving the BBIBP-CorV vaccine. Methods: We reviewed the patient’s medical record and electrodiagnostic report. Results: A 14-year-old, previously healthy, adolescent male received his 1^st dose of inactivated BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) COVID-19 vaccine. Five days later, he developed right peripheral facial palsy. He was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. Clinical signs and symptoms combined with initial and follow-up electrodiagnostic studies confirmed the diagnosis. He was treated for 5 days with oral prednisolone and vitamin B-complex. He received eye care with artificial tears and underwent a rehabilitation program using the bio-stimulation mode of high-power laser therapy (MLS®) combined with standard physiotherapy. Conclusions: Bell’s palsy might be an adverse event associated with the inactivated BBIBP-CorV COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents.