What is guillain-barre syndrome?

Guillain-Barré (say "ghee-YAN bah-RAY") syndrome is a nerve problem. Your child may have been ill or had an infection. While the body's own defenses (immune system) were fighting off the illness, the nerves were damaged. Guillain-Barré syndrome makes your child's muscles weak and leaves your child feeling numb or tingly. Many people with this syndrome do not get worse than that. But some people with Guillain-Barré syndrome may not be able to move their limbs.

Some people with Guillain-Barré syndrome need to go into the hospital because the muscles become so weak that it may be hard to walk or breathe. If your child cannot move at all, your child may have treatment to help breathe, drink, and eat.

With time, your child should start feeling stronger. But it may be several months before your child can return to everyday activities. During that time your child may need therapy to help regain the ability to walk and talk. Your child may continue to feel tired even after they no longer have Guillain-Barré syndrome.

GBS often starts with muscle weakness in the legs and arms. It may cause numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes. The muscle weakness may soon get worse. You may have trouble moving your arms or legs. And it may become hard to breathe or swallow.

GBS is treated in the hospital. You may get intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) or a plasma exchange. These treatments are called immunotherapy.

• In IVIG, helpful antibodies are added to your blood.
• In a plasma exchange, blood is taken out of your body. The harmful antibodies are removed from the blood, and then the blood is returned to your body.

If you have severe muscle weakness, you may also have treatment to help you breathe, drink, and eat. You may need therapy to help you walk and talk again.

Most people get better with few lasting symptoms. But recovery may take months.

GBS can be hard to diagnose. Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and your past health. A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) may be done to take a sample of your spinal fluid. You may also have other tests, such as an electromyogram or nerve conduction studies.

• Make sure your child rests as much as possible.
• If possible, have your child exercise daily to help strengthen the muscles.
• Have your child do physical therapy as directed by your doctor.
• Ask your family and friends for help at home while your child has Guillain-Barré syndrome and is recovering. Your child may need help with some activities and chores.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare nerve problem. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. This makes your muscles weak. It can happen after a viral or bacterial infection. GBS can be deadly. But with treatment, most people recover over time.