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A 3-month-old baby with H1N1 and Guillain-Barré syndrome

Alexandra Vasconcelos1, Francisco Abecasis, Rita Monteiro

  • 1Paediatrics Department, Hospital Prof Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Lisboa, Portugal. alexandravasc@gmail.com

BMJ Case Reports
|May 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the youngest case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in an infant following pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 infection. The infant developed severe neurological complications, highlighting a rare but serious H1N1-associated GBS presentation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 typically causes mild illness in children.
  • Severe respiratory failure can occur, necessitating intensive care.
  • Neurological complications are rare but serious sequelae of influenza infections.

Observation:

  • A previously healthy 2.5-month-old infant developed severe respiratory failure due to H1N1pdm09 infection.
  • Following initial improvement, the infant experienced cardiovascular instability and progressive neurological deterioration.
  • Clinical presentation included distal symmetrical motor weakness and areflexia, with elevated CSF protein.

Findings:

  • Electromyography confirmed an axonal form of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
  • This represents the youngest reported case of postnatal GBS.
  • It is the first documented pediatric case of GBS associated with H1N1 virus.

Implications:

  • Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 infection can lead to severe neurological complications like GBS, even in infants.
  • Early recognition and management of H1N1-associated GBS are crucial.
  • This case expands the understanding of rare pediatric neurological complications of influenza.

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