A case-control study on children with Guillain-Barre syndrome in North China.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the risk factors for Guillain-Barre syndrome.

METHODS

Case-control study design was used in 51 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, and 51 matched controls. All of the 51 cases in this study had been examined by electrophysiology. Serum IgG antibodies specific for C. jejuni were determined in all the subjects by ELISA. Each case and control were interviewed using an ad hoc questionnaire, including his/her demographic information, onset of the illness, their personal hygiene and so on.

RESULTS

The study showed that Guillain-Barre syndrome was associated with a few factors, such as polio vaccine immunization before onset of illness (OR=7.27), no hand washing after defecation and before meals (OR=6.15). Infection of C. jejuni was strongly associated with the illness (OR=9.5, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that occurrence of Guillain-Barre syndrome may correlate to infection of C. jejuni and poor personal hygiene in children.