Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Clinical Study of Twenty Children
Background: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute monophasic demyelinating neuropathy characterized by progressive motor weakness of limbs with areflexia. Aim: To study the clinical pattern and outcome of children with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2015-01-01
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Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/5491/8344_F(T)_PFA1(PU_Sh)_PF2(PAK)_PFA(AK)_PF3(PAK)_PF4(PAG).pdf |
Summary: | Background: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute monophasic demyelinating neuropathy characterized by progressive
motor weakness of limbs with areflexia.
Aim: To study the clinical pattern and outcome of children with
Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in a pediatric unit of tertiary care hospital over a period
of 18 months. We assessed the clinical manifestations, results
of electro-diagnostic tests, functional status, treatment instituted
and outcome of 20 children diagnosed with GBS.
Results: Of the 20 (male to female ratio = 2.3:1) children studied,
all had motor weakness, 5 (25%) had sensory loss, 4 (20 %) had
cranial nerve palsies and 4 (20%) had autonomic disturbances.
Respiratory paralysis was found in 7 (35%) children requiring
assisted ventilation. Antecedent illness preceding GBS was
recorded in 50% children. The GBS subtype distribution as
per electrodiagnostic studies was as follows: acute motor
axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in 7 (38.9%), acute motor sensory
axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) in 4 (22.2%), acute inflammatory
demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) in 4 (22.2%)
and both axonal and demyelinating neuropathy in 3 (16.7%).
Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) constituted the treatment
given in majority of the patients. Plasmapharesis was performed
in one child in view of poor response to IVIG. Complete recovery
was observed in 14 children and the remaining 3 children experienced only incomplete recovery.
Conclusion: Male preponderance and presence of antecedent
illness in a majority of subjects was observed in our study.
Regardless of the severity of illness at admission and electrophysiological subtypes, a majority achieved full recovery. Intravenous Immunoglobulin and supportive care form the cornerstone
of management in childhood GBS. |
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ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |