Risk factors of disease severity and mechanical ventilation requirement in childhood Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with the severity of the disease, the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) and poor prognosis in the early stages of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).

Methods: Data of children who met GBS diagnostic criteria were evaluated retrospectively. The sample was divided into three binary subgroups according to severe GBS (Hughes Functional Grading Scale [HFGS] ≥ 4 at admission), mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement, and poor prognosis (inability to walk independently, HFGS ≥ 3 after six months). Various clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological parameters were compared between these subgroups.

Results: The mean age of 63 children with GBS was 91.55±49.09 months. 13 (20.6%) patients required MV and 4 (6.3%) patients died. Associated risk factors for the need for MV in severe GBS were found to be autonomic dysfunction, bulbar palsy, sensory impairment, lowest total Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for muscle strength score at admission, high modified Erasmus GBS respiratory failure score (mEGRIS), high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) and high systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) values (p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.033, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.037 and p=0.042, respectively). The lowest total MRC scale for muscle strength score at admission was a significant indicator of poor prognosis (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Autonomic dysfunction, bulbar palsy, sensory impairment, lowest total MRC scale for muscle strength score at admission, high mEGRIS score, high NLR and SII values are potential risk factors for the need for MV in children with severe GBS. The lowest total MRC scale for muscle strength score at admission was associated with poor prognosis.