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Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background

Guillain-Barré syndrome: GBS; Acute Inflammatory Polyneuropathy

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute illness which is caused by inflammation of peripheral nerves leading to loss of sensation, muscle weakness and, in more serious cases, complete paralysis and breathing difficulty.

The disease varies in speed of onset with children reaching their maximal disability over a matter of days or, much more gradually over a period of up to four weeks.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written December 1996 by Dr S A Robb. Additional material provided June 2000 by Professor R A C Hughes, Professor of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London, UK. Last reviewed August 2002 by Dr S A Robb, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Newcomen Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.

 

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