Description of Guillain-Barre syndrome on the basis of clinical features using Hughes scoring system among children in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acquired inflammatory polyneuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive symmetrical flaccid limb weakness and areflexia. Here, we aimed to describe GBS on the basis of clinical features using Hughes scoring system (HSS) in children. Methods: We conducted a descriptive study, retrieving medical records of children between 2–16 years old admitted with GBS during January 2011–December 2013 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Information on demographics, predisposing factors of GBS, clinical features at presentation, investigations, managements, short- and long-term outcomes were recorded on data extraction sheet. Ethical approval was obtained before data collection. Results: Totally 31 children with GBS (21 males) were admitted during the study period. The mean age was 6.7 years. Thirteen cases were seen in summer (January–October) followed by 11 in spring (March–May) and 7 in winter (November–February). Preceding illnesses including upper respiratory tract infections in 15 and diarrhea was seen in 4 patients. None of the patients had history of prior immunization. The nerve conduction study/electromyography showed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in 18 (58%), acute motor axonal neuropathy in 8 (25.8%), acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy in 3 (9.7%) and Miller Fisher syndrome in 2 (6.5%) patients. Twenty-one patients had received intravenous immunoglobulin, four had plasmapharesis, four had both while two patients received none of these. Ventilator support was required by seven patients. Tracheostomy was performed on two patients. The HSS was calculated at 3-month follow-up. Nineteen children (61.2%) had an HSS score of 0–1, eight had a score of 2–5 (25.8%), and four patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: HSS is a good tool to identify and follow children with GBS. More than two-thirds of the patients had recovered complete mobility at 3-month follow-up.