GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME (Infectious Polyneuropathy; Acute Idiopathic Polyneuritis)

General Information

DEFINITION--A rare, inflammatory condition involving the central nervous system that causes rapid weakness and loss of sensation.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Central nervous system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages, but most common between 30 and 50.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Early stages:

• Muscle weakness in hands and feet, arms and legs, abdomen and chest. The weakness spreads within 72 hours; it may create life-threatening breathing difficulty.
• Shock (weakness; faintness; cold hands and feet; rapid heartbeat; sweating).

Later stages:

• Complete paralysis (sometimes) for weeks or months.

CAUSES--Unknown, but may be an autoimmune disorder. It sometimes follows an immunization or minor surgery.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Recent surgery.
• Recent immunization.
• Recent illness, such as a minor respiratory infection, gastroenteritis, Hodgkin's disease or lupus erythematosus.

HOW TO PREVENT--Cannot be prevented at present.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Spinal fluid analysis and electromyography (See Glossary).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Hospitalization in an intensive care unit so condition can be closely monitored.
• A respirator may be necessary if muscles of respiration become greatly weakened.
• Plasmapheresis in severe cases (blood plasma is withdrawn from the patient, treated to remove antibodies and replaced).

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Paralysis of eyelid muscles, resulting in eye damage.
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Pneumonia.
• Respiratory failure.
• Pressure sores, if the person is immobilized.
• Constipation or fecal impaction.
• Chronic nerve difficulty.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Complete recovery without residual effects in most cases. Some persons recover in 15 to 20 days, others require a year or more. Many mechanical devices can aid mobility until the person recovers. Adults recover better than children.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• The family should maintain an optimistic outlook, stay in close contact with the patient's doctor and help by making their visits with the patient brief and as supportive as possible.
• Additional information available from the Guillain-Barre Foundation at (215)667-0131.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Laxatives to prevent constipation.
• Cortisone drugs, although they are not always effective.

ACTIVITY--

• Remain as active as muscle strength permits. Have a family member or physical therapist passively move and stretch muscles.
• Ongoing physical therapy as your recovery progresses.

DIET--No special diet. Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid a day to prevent constipation.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• The following occurs during treatment: Fever. Breathing difficulty. Sores on the skin. Vision changes. Swollen or tender calves. Constipation.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.