[Facial paralysis in a 2 1/2-year-old girl due to herpes zoster oticus. Results of the reactivation of a chickenpox infection in infancy].

A case of herpes zoster oticus in a 2 1/2 year-old girl with a history of varicella at the age of 4 months is reported. Peripheral facial palsy was the prominent clinical symptom. Following treatment with Acyclovir 15 mg/kg/day i.v. for 7 days a complete remission was noted. Course, treatment and prognosis of zoster oticus are discussed, as well as the increased incidence of herpes zoster in children who had varicella before the age of 1 year.