Inclusion Criteria:

1. 1-17 years of age
2. Acute peripheral unilateral facial nerve palsy
3. Less than 72 hours since debut of symptoms
4. Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Head trauma <1 month
2. Central or bilateral facial nerve palsy
3. Malformations in head and neck
4. Conditions not compatible with cortisone treatment (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder, active or latent tuberculosis, intolerance of lactose)
5. Current or past oncological diagnosis
6. Other serious medical conditions (meningitis, encephalitis, stroke)
7. Acute otitis media
8. Signs of herpes simplex or varicella zoster infection (vesicles in the ear region)
9. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
10. Use of any systemic or inhaled steroids within 2 weeks prior onset of symptoms
11. Immunization with live vaccine 1 month prior onset of symptoms
12. Requirement of live vaccine within 2 months from start of experimental treatment (prednisolone or placebo)
13. Evaluation of primary endpoint at 12 months not feasible for any reason
14. Previously included into the FACE study