G .B. S in Children: Electro Physiologic Findings and Clinical Course

Clinical and Electrophysiologic features of Guillan-Barre syndrome in 23 children (1-15 y.old) were prospectively studied during 2 years (Jan. 97 to Jan. 99). These studies were performed at admission in hospital and one month later. 5 patients requied respiratory assistance (G5) and 15 patients were bedridden (G4). 2 patients had chronic GBS and one had recurrence after 6 months. Neurophysiologic findings in CPN were (in order of frequency): Decreased amplitude of CMAP (96 % ) , increased distal latency (74 % ) , increased F wave latency (69%) and decreased NCV (60%). Sensory nerve conduction, by examining sural nerve latency was normal in 78 % of patients. There was no significant difference between electrodiagnostic findings performed at admission and one month later, suggesting that diagnosis of GBS could be achieved as early as the first days of illness. The presence of fibrillation potentials in our patients can be indicative of prolonged course and recurrence. As previous reports, this sutudy confirmed the good prognosis of GBS in children compared to adults.