Guillain-Barre Syndrome In Children: 7 Key Points Every Parent Should Know

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves in an individual's body. It can cause pain, muscle weakness, and temporary paralysis of certain muscles. The paralysis caused by GBS can affect the legs, face, chest, among other muscles. When an individual experiences chest paralysis, it can lead to breathing problems that might cause death. GBS can affect both children and adults. Fortunately, most children diagnosed with GBS recover fully with no complication, with recovery starting within a few weeks after showing symptoms.

Here, we explain more about GBS in children, and what every parent should know.

1. What Is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder. Our immune system is responsible for attacking any harmful organisms in our body. However, in autoimmune disorders, the immune system attacks the body cells, thinking that they're invaders. While the risks of developing GBS increase with age, children too can develop this disorder.

The peripheral nerves (the nerves found on the outside of the brain and spinal cord) transmit signals from the brain to the muscles telling them to locomote. These nerves are also responsible for transmitting sensory signals such as taste, touch, and feel. When one develops GBS, their peripheral nerves are temporarily damaged, interrupting these signals. As a result, a child with GBS may experience difficulty when moving, numbness, or tingling legs and arms.

Though GBS is rare, it can get serious. For instance, if it affects an individual's chest muscles, the patient is at risk of developing breathing problems and may require the help of a ventilator once in a while. Fortunately, GBS is not permanent and may only cause temporary paralysis.

2. What Causes GBS In Children?

Researchers are yet to conclude the exact cause for GBS. As earlier stated, GBS is an autoimmune disorder that makes the body's immune system mistakenly attack part of the nervous system. However, GBS in children can result from an injury, viral infection, surgery, or reaction to a vaccine. In the event of a GBS case caused by a vaccine gone wrong, you may want to visit vaccineinjuryhelpcenter.com/guillain-barre-syndrome-gbs/ for more information on how you can pursue the issue legally.

Two in every three children who experience symptoms of GBS do so after a week or two after suffering from respiratory illness or diarrhea.

3. Can Any Child Develop GBS?

 However, children of all ages can also experience this disorder, the risk of developing GBS increases as one ages.

4. What Are The Symptoms Of Guillain-Barre Syndrome In Children?

While GBS symptoms may vary from child to child, the following are some of the most common symptoms experienced by most children:

• Pain that progresses from legs to arms

• Irritability

• pain in toes and fingers or lack of feelings of pain

• Facial weakness

• Difficulty walking

• Breathing problems

• Vision problems

• Trouble swallowing

It is important to note that your child may experience muscle weakness for some weeks. The weakness may last for one to two months, followed by slight improvement. After being diagnosed with GBS, it might take at least one to two years for your child to recover. Also, always remember that GBS symptoms may resemble other medical conditions, and it is advisable to visit your doctor for a distinct diagnosis.

5. How Is GBS Diagnosed In Children?

The GBS diagnosis is made after your child has shown certain symptoms and after diagnostic testing. In the event of a physical examination, the child's doctor will require a complete child's medical history and may want to know the family's medical history.

Additionally, the doctor may require additional tests to determine whether your child is suffering from GBS. These tests may include:

• Urine Tests

• Blood Tests

• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) And Electromyogram (EMG) 

This test determines the electrical activity of a muscle or a group of muscles and the nerves. The NCS and EMG detect abnormal muscle activity and electrical nerve resulting from diseases and neuromuscular conditions.

• Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)

 During this test, a specially placed needle is inside the lower back, into the spinal canal, the area around the spinal cord, to measure the pressure in the spinal canal. Then a small-scale quantity of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is taken for testing to rule out if the child has an infection or other underlying health problems. CSF is responsible for bathing your child's spinal cord and brain.

• Pulmonary Function Test

The performed breathing test is for the respiratory therapist to determine your child's lungs capacity and the strength of their respiratory muscles. It helps determine whether the child requires breathing support or not.

6. How Is GBS Treated In Children?

Treatment options for GBS depend on the severity of the symptoms, symptoms, general health, and age.

While there is no cure for GBS, it can be manageable if detected in time. GBS can improve on its own but can also be life-threatening. However, though some treatment plans can improve GBS symptoms, a child with this condition requires careful monitored by healthcare providers.

In GBS, the treatment objective is to improve breathing challenges and other symptoms. Nevertheless, there are medicines to help with pain and other problems. If your child is experiencing severe GBS, they may require the help of a breathing machine known as a ventilator until they can breathe on their own.

Your child may also require treatment to help suppress their immune system or reduce inflammation. These treatments include:

• Plasmapheresis 

This procedure includes the removing fluid part of the blood known as plasma and replacing it with other fluids. During this procedure, antibodies are also removed together with the plasma. Though plasmapheresis is a complex procedure and may be hard to perform in small children, it can help improve GBS symptoms.

• Immunoglobulin therapy 

This treatment procedure helps to reduce the immune system's attack on the nervous system.

It is important to note that your child does not require both treatments to feel better. Therefore, your child may only need one treatment. Ensure to discuss with your child's doctor the benefits, risks, and side effects of each treatment to make a preferable choice.

7. Are There Any GBS Complications In Children?

Most children with GBS recover without complications. However, if this condition, chest muscle paralysis, is not treated, it may cause breathing problems that lead to death. GBS recovery begins after a few days or weeks after showing symptoms. 

Nevertheless, your child might experience muscle weakness for some weeks or months.  The complete recovery takes at least one to two years after diagnosis, and in severe cases, some symptoms may be long-lasting.

Conclusion

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the body's nervous system. It is short-term and might also be a life-threatening disorder. The risks of developing this disorder increase as one age. However, small children can also experience it.

While there is no cure for GBS, its symptoms can go on their own, and the child may fully recover. However, as a parent, you need to be attentive to your child's health since the earlier you discover that your child might have GBS, the easier it will be to treat the symptoms.