Bell's Palsy in Children: A Multi-centre, double-blind, Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial to Determine Whether Prednisolone Improves Recovery at 1 Month.

This study is testing whether a short course of the steroid prednisolone helps children recover faster from Bell's palsy — a sudden weakness or paralysis of one side of the face. Research in adults suggests steroids help, but this has never been properly tested in children. Up to 540 children aged 6 months to 18 years will be enrolled across hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. You may be eligible if: - Your child is between 6 months and 18 years of age and weighs at least 5 kg - Your child has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy by a doctor - Symptoms started within the past 72 hours You may NOT be eligible if: - Your child has had Bell's palsy before or was already in this study - Your child has a condition that makes steroid use unsafe (e.g., diabetes, active TB, active chickenpox, peptic ulcer, or allergy to prednisolone) - Your child is currently on steroids or used them within the past two weeks - Your child has had a cancer diagnosis or may have leukaemia - Your child is pregnant or breastfeeding - Your child has had a live vaccine in the past month - The facial weakness only affects the lower half of the face (suggesting a different cause) - Your child has had a recent ear infection or signs of herpes infection - Your family cannot attend a follow-up in one month Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.