ABSTRACT

Background: Guillianbarre’ syndrome is a polyradiculoneuropathy that is usually acute and immune mediated, characterized by symmetric ascending muscle weakness and areflexia.

Aims: To observe the frequency of respiratory failure along with outcome in children with GBS.

Methods: This was a cross sectional, observational study performed in thedepartment of neurology and intensive care unit of The Children’s hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore fromJanuary 2018 to December2018. A total of 100 children of both gender diagnosed as GBS, from 1-15 years of age were included in the study according to inclusion criteria.Signs of respiratory failure and arterial blood gas were monitored in all patients, and outcome of all patients who were put on mechanical ventilator were recorded on a proforma.

Results: Out of 100 patients, most were males (62%). Mostly patients were between 1-5 years of age (47%). Weakness of lower limbs, hypotonia and areflexia were the most common presentations (100%), followed by sensory symptoms (66%) and autonomic instability ( 58%).Respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation was present in 12 % patients,9 of which were weaned off the ventilator and 3 patients expired.

Conclusion: Neuromuscular respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is a usual complication of GBS ,that can lead to increased mortality. Anticipation and early detection of signs of impending respiratory failure can improve the outcome.

Keywords: Guillainbarre syndrome, Respiratory failure, outcome