Tuberc Respir Dis.  1985 Dec;32(4):266-270. 10.4046/trd.1985.32.4.266.

Respiratory Failure in Guillain-Barre Syndrome

• KMID: 2528724
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1985.32.4.266

Abstract

Respiratory failure is the most life threatening complication of the Guillain-Barre syndrome and requires endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. We reviewed 106 patients of Guillain-Barre syndrome and got the following results: 1) Total number of patients was 106. 60 patients were male and 46 patients were female. 53 patients were in pediatric age and 53 patients were in adult age. 2) 26 patients(24.5%) required mechanical ventilation because of respiratory failure, and 3 patients died of respiratory complications. 3) Mean duration of hospitalization of 23 patients who were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, was 51.0±20.4 days and that of mechanical ventilation was 21. 5±8.6 days. 4) No significant difference in hospitalization and mechanical ventilation was found between sexes and between ages. 5) Respiratory complications excluding respiratory muscle weakness were developed in 15 patients(57.7%) during mechanical ventilation.