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Characteristics and Outcomes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Children

Tuan Nguyen Minh1, Truc Tran Thanh1, Khanh Ly Hien1

  • 1Children's Hospital 1, Department of Infectious Diseases and Neurology, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh.

Neuropediatrics
|June 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) often begins with limb pain and paresthesia. Most children recover well, though mechanical ventilation may be needed for severe cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a primary cause of acute paralysis in children.
  • Understanding GBS clinical characteristics and outcomes in pediatric populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical characteristics, paraclinical features, and recovery outcomes of pediatric GBS patients.
  • To identify factors associated with GBS severity and recovery in children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 40 children diagnosed with GBS between January 2021 and December 2022.
  • Data collection included demographics, clinical features, treatments, complications, and outcomes using the GDS score at follow-up.
  • Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were used to classify GBS phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • The predominant GBS demographic was male children (82.5%), with over 50% older than 10 years.
  • Respiratory tract infections preceded GBS in 75% of cases; common initial symptoms were leg pain and bulbar palsy (47.5%).
  • Albuminocytologic dissociation (ACD) was observed in 73.3% within 7 days. Phenotypes included AIDP (55%), AMSAN (17.5%), AMAN (10%). All patients achieved independent ambulation by 6 months. Mechanical ventilation correlated with initial GDS scores but not long-term outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Limb pain and paresthesia are the most common initial symptoms of pediatric GBS.
  • The majority of pediatric GBS patients experience good recovery.
  • Mechanical ventilation need is linked to bulbar weakness, facial paralysis, pneumonia, and severe initial limb weakness.
Abstract

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