title: A clinical picture of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children in the United States.
abstract: The authors describe the demographics, clinical presentation, investigation, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. They identified 35 pediatric patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome presenting to a tertiary academic center over a 20-year period. The most common presenting symptoms were paresthesias (54%), weakness (49%), and myalgias (49%). Sensation was affected in 54% of patients, and hyporeflexia or areflexia was present in 94% of patients. Cranial nerve dysfunction (46%) and autonomic involvement (eg, changes in blood pressure, pulse, bowel/bladder control, or priapism; 46%) were also common. Autonomic dysfunction, cranial nerve involvement, and albuminocytological dissociation were significantly associated with a decreased time to nadir, the point when symptoms peaked (P = .015, .007, and .005, respectively). Although not statistically significant, treatment with plasmapheresis had a better success rate than intravenous immunoglobulin. The authors' results will help to further delineate the clinical picture of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children and refine treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Worley
authors.forename: Manikum
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011000:Pleurodynia, Epidemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult