Pregnancy and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Nationwide Register Cohort Study

Abstract

In this study, we determined the relationship between Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and pregnancy. By taking advantage of several nationwide registers and the availability of personal identification numbers, we calculated person-years for Swedish females aged 15–49 years in the following categories: (1) neither pregnant nor postpartum; (2) pregnant; (3) in the first month postpartum, or (4) in the first 3 months postpartum during 1973–1983. For these women, we determined the corresponding exposure status of hospital-registered GBS cases. Medical records were examined for GBS cases hospitalized during the 2-week period postpartum and 1-month period after the last menstruation. Poisson regression analysis yielded age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) of 0.86 (95% CI 0.40–1.84) for pregnant women, and 1.47 (0.54–3.99) and 2.21 (0.55–8.94) for females during the 3-month and the 30-day period after delivery. The risk for GBS seems to be lower during pregnancy and increases after delivery.

Neurologic Complications in Pregnancy

“…Lower risk for GBS during pregnancy has been reported in a Swedish population (relative risk [RR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-1.84). 50 However, nearly all of these cases occur in the second or third trimesters, but increased risk was also found during the 30 50 Fetal survival is close to 96%, but premature delivery is common in severe GBS cases. Unlike MG, there is no GBS involvement of the fetus or neonate, except for 1 reported case.…”

Guillain-Barré syndrome

“…However, modest seasonal variations are noted in some series 811 In a cohort study, age adjusted relative risks indicate that the risk for Guillain-Barré syndrome is lower during pregnancy and increases after delivery 12…”

Acute Intermittent Porphyria With Seizure and Paralysis in the Puerperium

“…17 The similar presenting features of both Guillain-Barre syndrome and acute porphyria and the equivocal findings of the nerve conduction study have contributed to the initial misdiagnosis in our case. In retrospect, our patient's mental symptoms, SIADH, and normal nerve conduction velocity probably speaks more for the diagnosis of acute porphyria.…”