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.