Guillain-Barré syndrome in pregnancy. A case report

Severe Guillain-Barré syndrome in a patient 33 weeks pregnant, who went into premature labour 48 hours after requiring mechanical ventilation, is described. The labour required augmentation with oxytocin and a healthy 2,100 g baby was delivered using forceps. Obstetrically, the patient had an uncomplicated puerperium. She required ventilation for 20 days and after extensive physiotherapy was discharged with no disability. It is our opinion that the management of the gravid patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome does not differ much from that of non-pregnant patients with the disease. Supportive care in an intensive care unit remains the cornerstone of treatment and unnecessary obstetric intervention must be strongly resisted.