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Neuropediatrics 1983; 14(3): 164-165
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1059571
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Transient Sixth Cranial Nerve Paralysis in the Newborn Infant

A. J. C. de Grauw1 , J. J. Rotteveel1 , J. R. M. Cruysberg2
  • 1Radboudhospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 2Radboudhospital, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 May 2008 (online)

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Abstract

During a three months period 472 newborns between the fourth and eighth day of life were examined neurologically. Three of them had lateral rectus muscle paralysis. Two of the three were delivered by forceps. A follow up examination in six weeks showed that ocular movements spontaneously returned to normal. The children developed normally without neurological or ophthalmological sequelae. The cause and the localisation of the lesion will be discussed.

Neurological examination in the newborn is not routinely performed because it is time consuming and requires experience. The interpretation is often quite difficult (15, 11). Subtle deviations such as lateral rectus muscle paresis will often be missed. We describe this paresis in three newborns. Two of them were delivered by forceps.

Key words

Ophthalmoplegia - Neonatals - Forceps delivery