Muhammad Ahmed Zia, Yasser Masood, Muhammad Kashif Salman.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Autonomic Disturbances in Children.
Professional Med J Jan ;25(4):538-44.

Objectives: To determine the outcome of autonomic disturbances in children with Guillain Barre Syndrome. Study Design: Case series study. Setting: Pediatric ICU and Neurology ward of Nishtar Medical University/hospital Multan. Period: 9th June 2014 to 8th June 2015. Methods: 48 children having age less than 18 years. Clinical examination of central nervous system was conducted by single examiner to see presence of acute flaccid paralysis and to detect autonomic dysfunction. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis for albumino-cytologic dissociation, electromyography and nerve conduction studies was done in every patient of Guillain Barre Syndrome. Outcome was noted as expired, discharged or LAMA. Results: Mean age was 5.4 years and male female ratio was 1.2:1. Total 34 children were found to have clinical evidence of autonomic instability. Among 48 children, 17 children (35.4%) received no therapy, 28 children (58.3%) received Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, and 3 children (6.3%) received plasmapheresis. In children with autonomic disturbance, 24 children (70.6%) were discharged, 8 children (23.5%) expired and 2 children (5.9%) LAMA. Of the total 14 children without autonomic disturbance, 11 children (78.6%) were discharged, 3 children (21.4%) expired and no child LAMA (p-value >0.05). Mean duration of stay for patients with autonomic instability was 130 days versus 63 days in patients without autonomic instability (p-value <0.005). Demyelination variety was seen in 35 children (72.9%) and axonal degeneration in 13 children (27.1%). Mortality was high in children who had axonal degeneration but with insignificant p-value of >0.05. Conclusions: Autonomic instability is common in patients of GBS and is associated with increased risk of morbidity. Prompt recognition and treatment of autonomic instability can improve the outcomes of children with GBS.

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