Fine Motor Outcomes in Children with Guillain-Barré Syndrome

To study the motor outcomes at 6-mo and 1-y follow-up of children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

This study was an ambispective study of 12 mo duration including children with GBS. The motor outcomes were assessed using Hughes Guillain-Barré Syndrome Disability Score (GBSDS) and Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale (ONLS) at discharge, 6-mo, and 1-y follow-up.

Of 56 patients enrolled, 52 children were included in the study. The median (IQR) age at presentation was 8 (4-11) y. Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) was the most common variant (50%) in the study. At discharge, all the children had GBSDS ≥ 2, with 51.9% (27/52) patients at 6-mo follow-up, and 19.2% (10/52) had GBSDS ≥ 2 at 1-y follow-up, signifying the need for assistance. On ONLS assessment, 46.2% (24/52) had an arm score of > 2, and 86.5% (45/52) had a leg score of > 2 at discharge. At 6-mo follow-up, 26.9% (14/52) had an arm score > 2, and 19.2% (10/52) had a leg score > 2. At 1-y follow-up, 7.7% (4/52) had an arm score of > 2, and 9.7% (5/52) had a leg score > 2. There was no mortality in the index study.

Though most children with GBS recover completely, there can still be long-term impairments of fine motor movements required for daily activities. Early recognition and monitoring of persistent motor deficits as long-term sequelae of GBS is of utmost importance to improve the quality of life of these children.