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Guillain-Barre syndrome masquerading as acute respiratory failure in an infant

Praveen Kishore1, Pradeep Kumar Sharma1, Bhaskar Saikia1

  • 1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, B. L. Kapur Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences
|March 11, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare in infants. This case highlights GBS in a 5-month-old presenting with respiratory failure, emphasizing its consideration in infant neuromuscular weakness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neuromuscular Disorders

Background:

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system.
  • While rare, GBS can occur in infants, presenting diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

  • A 5-month-old infant presented with cough, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and listlessness, initially treated for pneumonia.
  • The infant exhibited areflexia, hypotonia, and limb weakness, complicating ventilation weaning.
  • Differential diagnoses included spinal muscular atrophy, poliomyelitis, and myopathies.

Findings:

  • Nerve conduction studies revealed a mixed severe axonal and demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed albuminocytological dissociation, characteristic of GBS.
  • The infant was diagnosed with GBS and successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering GBS in infants with acute respiratory failure and neuromuscular weakness.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of GBS in infants can lead to complete recovery.
  • Highlights the need for increased awareness of GBS in pediatric critical care settings.

Keywords:
Acute flaccid paralysisGuillain-Barré syndromeinfantrespiratory failure

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