A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome accompanied by sympathetic overactivity and hypertensive encephalopathy

Hypertension has often been observed in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, and various underlying mechanisms have been implicated. We report the case of a child with the Guillain-Barré syndrome whose hypertension was associated with increases in both renin activity and circulating catecholamines. This case also appeared to be complicated by hypertensive encephalopathy. Following administration of intravenous regitine, a blood pressure change was observed and cardiac performance was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography. Results indicated that increased total peripheral resistance may have been responsible for the symptoms and the hypertension. The hypertension was effectively managed by nifedipine, captopril and prazosin without the need for beta-blockade.