Guillain-Barré syndrome in a Child with Ongoing Viral Hepatitis A

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) belongs to the group of peripheral immune-mediated neuropathies often preceded by an inflammatory episode. GBS is rarely associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, the latter as a rule antecedent of the neurological disorders. This association is quite rare in childhood, and so far, only isolated cases have been described. We report an unusual case of pediatric GBS which development coincided with the development of HAV IgM (+) viral hepatitis A. From the second to the 14th day after admission to the hospital for mild jaundice of the skin and sclera in a 12-yr-old boy, the following neurological disorders have developed: absent Achilles and knee-jerk reflexes, diminished brachioradialis reflex, moderately decreased muscle power in the upper extremities and more pronounced power loss in the lower extremities. Facial palsy developed bilaterally, more expressed to the right. There was albuminocytologic dissociation of the cerebrospinal fluid and electrodiagnostic study showed findings compatible with the GBS subdivision - Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). HAV could trigger GBS in the very beginning of liver inflammation in children. This insight may help wide range of medical professionals to early recognize and treat the peripheral neuropathy.