Pregnancy, anaesthesia and Guillain Barré syndrome

Two case histories of pregnant women with Guillain Barré syndrome (acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis) are reported. The first required anaesthesia during the second trimester for a minor surgical procedure. The second woman was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in the first trimester and was ventilated for 18 weeks. Both babies were carried to term and delivered by Caesarean section. A review of the management of Guillain Barré syndrome in pregnancy discusses anaesthetic management, intensive care and the use of plasmapheresis and gamma-globulins. The care of pregnant women recovered from Guillain Barré syndrome is also discussed.