J Biomed Res.  2014 Sep;15(3):141-145. 10.12729/jbr.2014.15.3.141.

Clinical variants of Guillain-Barre syndrome in children

• Sim GY
• Kim WS

• KMID: 1963251
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12729/jbr.2014.15.3.141

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy most commonly characterized by rapidly progressive, essentially symmetric weakness and areflexia. This study examined clinical symptoms of clinical variants of GBS through a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study, nerve conduction (NCV) study, treatment, and prognosis. There were 16 children with GBS who visited our hospital from January 2011 to December 2013. Guillen-Barre-like syndromes with transient synovitis were noted in three children. Clinical variants of GBS with acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis were observed in one child. Previous infections were noted in 16 children with Guillen-Barre-like syndrome. There were ascending infections in 16 cases. Fifteen children showed symmetric infections, and one showed asymmetric infection. In NCV, slow waves were noted in two cases. We treated using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in four cases, IVIG with steroid in two, cases and supportive care in 10 (62.5%) cases. Five children treated with IVIG and 10 with supportive care management were completely improved.Our study suggests that supportive care is effective as a treatment for clinical variants of GBS. Further study is necessary for more patients.

Keyword

Guillain-Barre syndrome; clinical; variants; children; treatment

MeSH Terms

Cerebrospinal Fluid
Child*
Encephalomyelitis
Guillain-Barre Syndrome*
Humans
Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
Neural Conduction
Prognosis
Synovitis
Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous