<p>Prevalence and outcomes of Guillain-Barr&eacute; syndrome among pediatrics in Saudi Arabia: a 10-year retrospective study</p>

Abstract

Background Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a progressive acute form of paralysis most probably secondary to an immune-mediated process. GBS among Saudis has been seldom investigated, which leaves both clinicians and researchers with scarcity in knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and clinical prognosis of GBS among pediatrics admitted with acute paralysis at a large healthcare facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective study reviewed patients’ medical records between 2005 and 2015. Eligible cases were children (<14 years old) admitted to the hospital complaining of acute paralysis and later diagnosed with one form or variant of GBS. Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression were employed to analyze the collected data. Results The prevalence of GBS was 49%. The male-to-female ratio was 1.45:1. The mean ± standard deviation age was 7±3.7 years. There were 34 (69.4%) cases with progression to maximum paralysis in ≤2 weeks, while 15 (30.6%) cases occurred beyond 2 weeks. Males (n=24, 82.8%) were more likely to endure progression to maximum paralysis in ≤2 weeks after the disease onset, compared to females (n=10, 50%), P =0.014. All cases complaining of respiratory problems exhibited a progression to maximum paralysis in ≤2 weeks, compared to those with no respiratory problems, P =0.027. Residual paralysis at 60 days post disease onset was highly associated with GBS patients of age 8–14 years (n=15, 65.2%), compared to younger patients (n=8, 30.8%), P =0.016. Patients admitted in colder seasons (n=14, 63.6%) were more likely to suffer residual paralysis too, compared to those in warmer seasons (n=9, 33.3%), P =0.035. GBS cases who complained of facial weakness (n=9, 75%) and ocular abnormalities (n=10, 71.4%) were also more likely to endure residual paralysis at 60 days post disease onset, P =0.025 and P =0.03, respectively. Conclusion Male gender could be a determinant of rapid progression to maximum paralysis, while the older age group in pediatrics is expected to endure residual paralysis at 60 days post disease onset. GBS can be accounted as a rare disease, especially in pediatrics, so confirmed cases should be investigated comprehensively for research purposes.

Clinical Outcome of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in 108 Children

“…G uillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is presently the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in our country. Among children in India and neighboring areas, the axonal variety predominates [1][2][3][4][5]; the demyelinating variety predominates in South America [6], other parts of Asia [7][8][9] and Europe [10,11]. This difference in subtypes across geographical areas is not clearly understood [12].…”

Association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and Herpes virus family members, A Multiplex PCR study

“…However, Asiri et al 21 who aimed to determine the pattern of muscle weakness in patients with GBS, had results that was not far from the current study. They found that in 80% of patients, muscle weakness started in lower limbs while at presentation four limb weaknesses was the most frequent (96%).…”

Unilateral Facial Palsy in an Adolescent with Guillain–Barré Syndrome

“…2 Cranial nerves involvement is associated with a shorter time to reach the nadir of illness, 5,11 although cranial facial muscles recover earlier compared with limb muscles. 6 Monolateral facial palsies seem rarer in GBS but definitive conclusions cannot be made due to the limited reports observed. 3,7-9,12-14 A poor prognosis in both pediatric and adult subjects with cranial nerve involvement in the early stage of GBS has been reported 11,15 that seems more severe according to Bhargava et al 5 but without affecting the long-term outcome.…”