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Guillain-Barré syndrome in children: a cooperative study in Taiwan
1Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Insights
Childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Taiwan shows a benign course, with most children recovering fully within six months. This retrospective study analyzed 72 pediatric GBS cases, finding low mortality and recurrence rates.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system.
- Understanding the epidemiology and clinical course of pediatric GBS is crucial for patient management and public health.
- Previous studies on childhood GBS have varied in scope and geographic focus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively investigate the clinical characteristics, preceding events, and outcomes of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children diagnosed in Taiwan.
- To estimate the annual incidence of childhood GBS in Taiwan.
- To evaluate the recovery patterns and recurrence rates in pediatric GBS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 72 children diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome between 1986 and 1990 at 11 major teaching hospitals in Taiwan.
- Data collection included patient demographics, preceding events (infections, vaccinations), clinical manifestations (motor, sensory, cranial nerve, autonomic dysfunction, respiratory failure), disease progression, and outcomes.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine incidence, clinical features, and recovery rates.
Main Results:
- Of 72 pediatric GBS cases, 44 were male and 28 female, aged 7 months to 15 years. Preceding events were identified in 85% of patients, primarily antecedent infections (59 patients).
- Common clinical features included progressive weakness, hyporeflexia, cranial nerve lesions (46%), sensory complaints (26%), autonomic dysfunction (25%), and respiratory failure (14%). Motor symptoms peaked within 20 days in 88% of cases.
- Complete recovery was observed in 73% of patients within 6 months. Recurrence occurred in 5.6% of cases, with no mortality. The estimated annual incidence of GBS in Taiwan was 0.66 per 100,000 children.
Conclusions:
- Childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome in Taiwan follows a relatively benign course with a high rate of complete recovery and no mortality in this cohort.
- Antecedent infections are common preceding events in pediatric GBS.
- The estimated incidence provides valuable epidemiological data for public health planning in Taiwan.
Abstract:
Seventy-two children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), diagnosed at 11 major teaching hospitals in Taiwan during the period 1986-1990, were studied retrospectively. There were 44 males and 28 females ranging in age from 7 months to 15 years. Preceding events could be traced in 61 patients (85%), including antecedent infection in 59 patients and previous vaccination in 2. As well as the consistent pictures of progressive weakness and generalized hyporeflexia, there were sensory complaints (26%), cranial nerve lesions (46%), respiratory failure (14%) and autonomic dysfunction (25%). Motor symptoms reached a maximum within 20 days in 88% of the patients, with the plateau lasting less than 2 weeks in 75%, and became stable within 3 months in 76%. Overall outcome showed complete recovery in 73% of the patients within 6 months after onset. Four (5.6%) had recurrence, and there was no mortality. The present study revealed that the annual incidence of GBS in Taiwan can be estimated roughly as 0.66 per 100,000 and that the course of childhood GBS is relatively benign.