목적: 임신 시 벨마비의 발생 빈도는 비임신 시에 비해 높게 보고되고 있다. 비임신 시와 비교하여 임신 시 발생한 벨마비의 발병 시기, 임상 양상, 회복률에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 연구 방법: 1996년부터 2006년까지 임신 중 벨마비가 발생한 43명의 환자를 대상으로 하였으며 비임신 시 벨마비가 발생한 가임기 여성 61명을 대조군으로 의무기록을 토대로 후향적 연구를 시행하였다. 결과: 임신 중 벨마비는 평균 재태연령 32주에 발생하였으며, 81.4% (35 of 43)에서 만족할 만한 회복양상을 보였고, 완전 마비를 보인 환자 중 77.8%에서 만족할 만한 회복양상을 보였다. 한방 치료, 스테로이드 치료, 병합 치료 등 치료방법에 따른 각각의 회복률은 80.0%, 100%, 80.0%였다. 결론: 임신 시 벨마비의 양상은 비임신 시와 비교하여 유의한 차이가 없었으며, 치료 방법의 선택에 있어 보다 많은 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

Objective: Although Bell’ palsy is not common in pregnancy, it is more prevalent among pregnant women than among non-pregnant women. Since the exact clinical characteristics of this condition are not fully understood, we evaluated the epidemiology, pathophysiology, onset time, as well as the recovery rate according to treatment modality of Bell’ palsy in pregnancy, and compared them to those of the non-pregnant population in this study. Methods: Between March 1996 and February 2006, we identified 43 patients who suffered from Bell’ palsy during pregnancy and postpartum with a minimum 6 month follow up at Kyung Hee University Hospital. We conducted retrospective medical records analysis and compared them to similary chosen Bell’ palsy case in non pregnant women who were matched for age. Results: The median gestational age at the onset of Bell’ palsy was 32 weeks. Among the 43 patients who had been diagnosed with Bell’ palsy in pregnancy, 81.4% (35 of 43) showed a satisfactory outcome. Among the 36 patients with complete palsy, 77.8% (28 of 36) showed a satisfactory recovery. Recovery rate according to treatment modality in pregnant patients with Bell’ palsy were 28/35 (80.0%) in the acupuncture group, 3/3 (100%) in the steroid therapy group, and 4/5 (80.0%) in the combined acupuncture and steroid therapy group, respectively. Conclusion: We did not detect any difference in clinical characteristics of Bell’ palsy in the pregnant group compared with the non-pregnant group. Further study will be needed to select the method of treatment for Bell’ palsy in pregnant women.

Objective: Although Bell’ palsy is not common in pregnancy, it is more prevalent among pregnant women than among non-pregnant women. Since the exact clinical characteristics of this condition are not fully understood, we evaluated the epidemiology, pathophysiology, onset time, as well as the recovery rate according to treatment modality of Bell’ palsy in pregnancy, and compared them to those of the non-pregnant population in this study. Methods: Between March 1996 and February 2006, we identified 43 patients who suffered from Bell’ palsy during pregnancy and postpartum with a minimum 6 month follow up at Kyung Hee University Hospital. We conducted retrospective medical records analysis and compared them to similary chosen Bell’ palsy case in non pregnant women who were matched for age. Results: The median gestational age at the onset of Bell’ palsy was 32 weeks. Among the 43 patients who had been diagnosed with Bell’ palsy in pregnancy, 81.4% (35 of 43) showed a satisfactory outcome. Among the 36 patients with complete palsy, 77.8% (28 of 36) showed a satisfactory recovery. Recovery rate according to treatment modality in pregnant patients with Bell’ palsy were 28/35 (80.0%) in the acupuncture group, 3/3 (100%) in the steroid therapy group, and 4/5 (80.0%) in the combined acupuncture and steroid therapy group, respectively. Conclusion: We did not detect any difference in clinical characteristics of Bell’ palsy in the pregnant group compared with the non-pregnant group. Further study will be needed to select the method of treatment for Bell’ palsy in pregnant women.

Bell’s palsy, Pregnancy, Postpartum period, Prognosis