Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Children with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Background: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder affecting all age groups, characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking peripheral nerves, causing weakness, numbness, and, in severe cases, paralysis. While the exact cause is often unknown, GBS is commonly preceded by infections like respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Methods and Materials: This observational study was carried out at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS&H) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, spanning from September 2018 to August 2019. A total of 93 children diagnosed with childhood Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) were included as the study subjects using a consecutive sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using MS Office tools. Results: Participants, with a mean age of 7.73 ± 3.80 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1, reported antecedent illnesses in 60 cases (64.5%). Electrophysiological abnormalities indicated 65.6% with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), 31.2% with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculo-neuropathy (AIDP), and 3% with acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN). Neurologically, 87.1% exhibited progressive weakness (quadriparesis), while 12.9% had paraparesis. Cranial nerve dysfunction, including 42% with bulbar involvement and 2.1% with facial palsy, was observed in 44.1% of cases. Conclusion: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) tends to affect younger male children more frequently.