title: Clinical importance of F-waves as a prognostic factor in Guillain-Barré syndrome in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Eung-Bin
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Young
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Su Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Su-Kyeong
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Soonhak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Sae Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy; F-wave; Guillain-Barré syndrome; Nerve conduction velocity