Retrospective evaluation of Guillain-Barre syndrome in children: A single-center experience

Background: Although Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is now the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children, information on the long-term follow-up of GBS is still limited. Identification of prognostic factors can play an important role in treatment strategies and the follow-up of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of monitoring the GBS disability score (DS) in predicting morbidity and mortality.

Methods: The patients were separated into two groups those with DS≥ or <3 on admission. These groups were compared in respect of demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, and the DS recorded on admission and at first, third, sixth, 12th, and 24th months.

Results: The study included 44 patients (54.5% male, 45.5% female) with a median age of 5 years. The most common involvements during the disease were weakness, ataxia, neuropathic pain, cranial neuropathy, respiratory distress, autonomic dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms, respectively. In patients with a DS of ≥3, the time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was shorter, and the length of hospital stay was longer. Children with back pain and autonomic dysfunction had a DS of ≥3. A high 3-month DS was found to be a significant predictor for the development of sequelae.

Conclusions: Although progressive muscle weakness and inability to walk are the most common symptoms of GBS, it should be kept in mind that atypical manifestations such as hemiplegia and ophthalmoplegia may also occur. For an objective assessment of clinical improvement during follow-up, the DS for motor functions can be used.