Four children with evolving Guillain-Barré syndrome were treated with a five-day course of intravenous immunoglobulin. No patient showed further progression of the condition and all made a rapid and complete recovery with no evidence of relapse over a six- to 24-month follow-up period. The early use of immunoglobulin in this disorder may prevent further progression of the disease and accelerate short-term recovery, with resulting medical, social and financial implications.