Guillain Barré

WHAT IS GUILLAIN BARRE?

Guillain Barré (pronounced gee-yan bar-ay) is a disease that affects the nervous system. It occurs when the child's immune system (the mechanism that usually protects the body against disease) begins to attack their body. It can have a sudden onset and is usually characterised by feelings of weakness and tingling sensations in the legs which may then spread to the arms and upper body. Sometimes the arms, legs and face can become paralysed and breathing can become very difficult. The amount of time it takes for Guillain Barré to spread can vary from a a few hours to a few weeks.

The severity of the symptoms varies from child to child. In the mildest cases, the condition may only last a few weeks and a child may feel weak in their arms, legs and chest but do not become paralysed. In more severe cases, the condition may last several months and a child may become paralysed and may require intensive care support. In some cases, a child may need to be placed on a respirator.

It can take anything from a few weeks to a few years for a child to recover from Guillain Barré. In some cases a child with Guillain Barré may remain wheelchair bound. In other cases, a child may still have a feeling of weakness for a few years after getting Guillain Barré or the tingling sensations may recur from time to time. However, many children who have had Guillain Barré often regain their full health.

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