Intravenous immunoglobulins in severe Guillian-Barre syndrome in childhood.

OBJECTIVE

This is a retrospective analysis of 25 children with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome admitted to our PICU.

METHOD: All children were treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in a dose of 2 g/kg body weight over 2-5 days in addition to supportive and respiratory care. Seventeen children were elective admissions to the PICU whereas 8 children were transferred from other hospitals in a critical condition. Five of 8 of the late referrals died as compared to none of the elective admissions.

RESULT: All 8 of the late referrals required mechanical ventilation as against 3 of the 17 elective admissions. Mean duration of PICU stay in the late referrals was 27 days as compared to 15 days in the elective admissions.

CONCLUSION

The authors concur with previously published reports, that early use of IVIG could reduce the mortality and the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation.