Pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children. This review discusses the heterogeneous presentations of this disorder, the frequency of disease-related complications and the importance of assiduous clinical care in pediatric GBS.


RESULTS
Recent reports have highlighted the variable clinical and neurophysiologic subtypes of pediatric GBS, and emphasized the value of imaging in diagnosis of this disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of pediatric GBS is often delayed because of its variable presentation. Early recognition and treatment decrease long-term morbidity and mortality. Recent research has cast light on the variable presentations and pathogenesis of the numerous subtypes of this condition, and is now focusing upon a better understanding of the natural history of GBS.
Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.
Monique M
MM
Ryan
D017677:Age Distribution; D001323:Autoantibodies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000235:genetics*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous