Assessment of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Paralytic Illness

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (FDR’s) paralytic illness was diagnosed as poliomyelitis. Some of his symptoms, such as fever and motor neuron infection are consistent with symptoms typical of this condition. However, recent research has led to the insight that he possibly suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome instead. Through Bayesian analysis on his paralytic symptoms, researchers were able to argue that his condition was most likely Guillain-Barré syndrome. (Goldman et al. 2003). Criticism of this conclusion suggests that he suffered from poliomyelitis because the virus was found after performing a cerebrospinal fluid test. However, there is no apparent evidence that a lumbar puncture was performed to test his cerebrospinal fluid and accurately diagnose him. Roosevelt’s bladder problems and symmetric paralysis were some of the many symptoms he had that are indicative of Guillain-Barré syndrome and uncharacteristic of poliomyelitis (Goldman et al. 2015). Through primary archival research, information investigating FDR’s paralysis was obtained. Roosevelt’s medical records were closely examined to understand the process behind his diagnosis of poliomyelitis and researchers’ conclusion that he had Guillain-Barré syndrome. An in depth analysis of documents recording his symptoms and treatments was performed. The uncertainty of the cause of FDR’s paralytic condition should be noted in the historical record. In addition, the inability to effectively diagnose FDR undermines the efficacy of current diagnostic criteria for these two illnesses.