title: Epidemiology of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the province of Quebec.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the province of Quebec, a population-based study of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was conducted at the time of a mass immunization campaign against meningococcal disease, in 2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included residents aged 2 months to 20 years observed from November 1st, 2000 to December 31, 2002, representing 4,075,465 person-years of observation. GBS cases were identified in the provincial hospital database Med-Echo and medical records were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three incident GBS cases were identified, including 27 cases of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy. The overall GBS incidence rate was 0.8/100,000 person-years, higher in persons aged 1 to 4 years (2.1/100,000) than in those 5 years or more (0.6/100,000). There was a female preponderance and no significant seasonal variation. All patients survived.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results could be used to interpret reports of adverse events associated with the introduction of new vaccines in this age-group in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Research Unit, Quebec University Hospital Centre, Quebec City, Canada.
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deceuninck
authors.forename: Renée-Myriam
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Wals
authors.forename: Manale
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ouakki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines