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. 2023 Feb 6;85(2):191-194.
doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000142. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Postpartum Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case report

Amrit Bhusal  1 , Anu Shrestha  1 , Vitasta Muskan  1 , Sashank Bhattarai  1 , Priza Subedi  2 , Ajay K Yadav  3
Affiliations

Postpartum Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case report

Amrit Bhusal et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system presenting as symmetrical, progressive weakness and areflexia. The incidence of GBS is very low during pregnancy, but the risk increases in the postpartum period. The management is done by intravenous immunoglobulin or conservatively.

Case presentation: Case of 27 years female with parity 1, living 1, on postpartum day 20 presented to the emergency department (ED) with weakness over legs and hands since 20 days following emergency lower segment cesarean section for her delivery. The weakness prevailed over the lower extremities and progressed to the upper extremities in 4-5 days, affecting her grip strength and ability to stand alone. No history of prior diarrheal or respiratory illness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed albuminocytologic dissociation. A nerve conduction study showed in-excitable bilateral radial, median, ulnar, and sural nerves. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered at the rate of 0.4 g/kg once daily for 5 days. Patient was discharged after 2 weeks with regular physiotherapy follow-up.

Conclusion: GBS in the postpartum period is very rare. There must be a high degree of suspicion among physicians for GBS if a pregnant female or a woman during her postpartum period presents with ascending muscle paralysis, even if there is no recent antecedent history of diarrheal episodes or respiratory illness. An early diagnosis with multidisciplinary supportive measures helps improve the prognosis for both the mother and the fetus.

Keywords: Guillain–Barré syndrome; case report; intravenous immunoglobulin; postpartum.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
In-excitable bilateral radial, median, ulnar, and sural nerves.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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