title: Clinical characteristics of childhood guillain-barré syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find the incidence, clinical pattern and outcome of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the Sultanate of Oman in children less than 15 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children under fifteen years with acute flaccid paralysis were admitted to identify the underlying cause. The diagnosis of Gullain Barre syndrome was made by clinical criteria, cerebrospinal fluid findings and nerve conduction studies. Intravenous immunoglobulins were given to all and two needed plasmapharesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one children were diagnosed as Guillan-Barré syndrome and constituted 20% of cases of acute flaccid paralysis. Males 39 (63.9%) outnumbered females (36.1%).The annual incidence below 15 years was 0.45/100,000. Cranial nerves were involved in 31 (50.8%) children. Albumino-cytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid was seen in 42/45(93.3%) cases. Acute relapse was seen in six (9.8%) cases. Eleven children (18.3%) needed ventilation. Complete recovery was seen in 45 to 310 days (mean 69.1 days). Three children (4.9%) were left with minimal residual deficit. There was no mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Guillain Barre syndrome is a serious disease, although recovery is the rule in children. The disease is associated with very low mortality and long term morbidity. Immunoglobulins have reduced the duration of hospital stay and the total time needed for recovery.
authors.forename: Roshan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koul
authors.forename: Amna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Futaisi
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chacko
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fazalullah
authors.forename: Susan Al
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nabhani
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Awaidy
authors.forename: Suleiman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Busaidy
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Mahrooqi