title: Guillain-Barré syndrome in childhood: natural course and efficacy of plasmapheresis.
abstract: Eight children with Guillain-Barré syndrome were treated with plasmapheresis. Retrospective comparisons were made with 11 historic control patients. Eight children required mechanical ventilation, 4 of whom were in the plasmapheresis group. One week after the last plasmapheresis treatment, patients receiving plasmapheresis within 7 days of symptom onset had improved by one Guillain-Barré syndrome score. Discharge Guillain-Barré syndrome scores were significantly lower for those receiving plasmapheresis (P < .05). Patients in the plasmapheresis group had a decrease in the number of days of mechanical ventilation, time until motor recovery, and overall cost. Our results are consistent with published literature and indicate that plasmapheresis for childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome is a safe and effective treatment to shorten the time to recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA 92354.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Perkin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashwal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000191:economics; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies