Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Health Research
Center, Tabriz Medical University, Tabriz, Iran
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Armen Malekian, Department of Pediatrics,
Pediatric Health Research Center, Tabriz Medical University, Tabriz, Iran.
Tel.: +98 9143155904; Fax: +98 4115262280; E-mail: armen_md@yahoo.com
Abstract: Guillan-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a debilitating illness with
different subtypes depending on geographical area. In this study we review the
GBS subtypes in Iranian children. One hundred and eight children below 15 yr
entered the study during 7 yr (1998–2005), they were evaluated in 1st (95
cases) and 2nd wk (13 cases) diagnosed clinically, electrodiagnostically and
their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed. Patients were divided into
demyelinating and axonal forms. Data were analyzed by t test for continuous
measures and the Fisher's exact test for categorical variables in SPSS 16. P
less 0.05 was significant. The means age ± SD of affected patients are 4.8
± 2.7 yr (minimum 1 yr, maximum 14.5 yr). CSF protein and pleocytosis were
more common in 2nd wk group (77 mg/dL in first week versus 63 mg/dL in second
week); 2% (first week) and 30% CSF pleocytosis occurred (second week).
Demyelinating form happens in 47% of patients, axonal 40% and combined form of
axonal and demyelinating form happened in 9%. Normal electrodiagnostic tests in
spite of clinically confirmed GBS were observed in 4%. CSF protein was higher
in demyelinating compared to axonal form (71 mg/dL and 54 mg/dL). There is no
sex predilection for GBS affection (59 males, and 49 females). Peak incidence
of GBS in children is below age of 5 yr (65%); axonal form of GBS (sensory and
motor) make a considerable proportion of GBS in children (40%) with lower CSF
protein compared to demyelinating type, but it is not statistically significant
(P > 0.05).
