Abstract:
Objective
To observe the clinical efficacy of the treatment for pediatric facial paralysis by facial three-needle acupuncture combined with routine western medical therapy.
Methods
Totally 33 children with peripheral facial paralysis were observed. The routine western medical therapy was used in acute stage (within 7 days of onset),and facial three-needle acupuncture combined with routine western medical therapy was applied during quiescent and recovery stages (from 8 days to 20 days),once a day,  five times a week,7 days as a course for 8 courses.The curative effectiveness was assessed before acupuncture treatment (7 days after onset) and after acupuncture treatment (2 months or any time within 2 months on recovery) by the same physician.
Results
The total effective rate of the three-needle therapy was 96.97%(32/33),significantly higher than that before acupuncture (78.79%,26/32),the difference being statistically significant (Z=-6.707,P<0.05).
Conclusion
The facial three-needle acupuncture combined with routine western medical therapy has significant effect in treating pediatric peripheral facial paralysis.

Key words: Facial paralysis, Facial neuritis, Facioplegia, Acupuncture, Children