title: [Guillain-Barré syndrome in childhood. Characteristic course and therapeutic possibilities].
abstract: The incidence of the GBS in childhood is significantly lower than in adults. The clinical course may be equally severe, 10-25% of the affected children requiring artificial ventilation. Besides respiratory insufficiency, cardial arrhythmias are a major threat to the patients' lives. However, eventually more than 90% of the children recover completely. Controlled studies on the efficacy of therapeutic measures have been performed only in adults. To children their results should be transferred with caution. Steroids are of no value in the acute disease. However, they should be tried when progression for more than 4 weeks suggests the diagnosis of CIDP. Plasmapheresis is beneficial in CIDP and severe GBS; in GBS the time for weaning from the respirator and for achieving independent ambulation is significantly reduced. Recent studies have demonstrated that intravenous immunoglobulins can be equally effective. However, the administration of immunoglobulins in less severe cases should at present be reserved to a controlled study.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Neuropädiatrie und Muskelerkrankungen, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Korinthenberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
vernacular_title: Das Guillain-Barré-Syndrom im Kindesalter. Verlaufscharakteristik und therapeutische Möglichkeiten.