Question

An infant was born with facial nerve paralysis that occurred with delivery. As the infant ages, it becomes apparent that the facial muscles affected by the nerve damage are not moving. Seeking surgical repair, the family asks why the damage to the child's face is not being repaired by the body. The health care provider states that neurons (connected to the facial muscles) are highly specialized cells that:

Answer 1

Facial nerve paralysis may be defined as the condition in which the individual's loses its ability to control the facial movements like blinking and smiling. The seventh cranial nerve is affected in this paralysis.

The infant was born with facial nerve paralysis. The child's damage cannot be repaired by the surgery. This is because the neurons are the most specialized cells and the neurons will lose their ability to multiply after the complete development of the nervous system.