The orbicularis oculi reflex: pathologic studies in childhood.

The orbicularis oculi reflex was studied in 12 children with intrinsic brain stem gliomas and in six children with other posterior fossa pathology. The results were compared with previously established childhood normal values. Seventy-eight percent of the children demonstrated a pathologic alteration of the reflex comparable to reported results in adult patients. The orgicularis oculi reflex test in childhood in a relatively simple and risk-free procedure in the evaluation of brain stem disease in childhood.