Recurrent facial nerve palsy associated with anti-GQ1b IgG antibodies

Recurrent facial nerve palsy (RFNP) in childhood is usually considered to be a benign disorder. We report a 13-year-old female affected with RFNP in the absence of other neurologic signs, in which elevated serum IgG and IgM anti-GQ1b antibodies were detected. To our knowledge, this is the first example in the literature of RFNP, associated with anti-GQ1b IgG antibodies. The possible role of anti-GQ1b antibodies in isolated cranial neuropathy is discussed.