Risk factors for mechanical ventilation in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND

We assessed clinical predictors of mechanical ventilation in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) to help identify patients who require mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiological data of 103 children with GBS. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the requirement for mechanical ventilation. Variables that were significantly different between the two groups in univariate analysis were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Time from symptom onset to admission (P = .002), facial or bulbar weakness (P = .001), and axonal type (P = .005) were associated with mechanical ventilation in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, facial or bulbar weakness (odds ratio [OR], 7.936; P = .013) and axonal type (OR, 4.582; P = .022) were independent predictors for mechanical ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Facial or bulbar weakness and axonal type were associated with increased risk for mechanical ventilation in children with GBS.