Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acquired demyelinating polyneuropathy that is presumed to be immune-mediated. On the basis of this assumption, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used in the treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome in recent years and found to be effective. To test this we performed a randomized study in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome by giving IVIG (1 g/kg body weight per day over 2 consecutive days) in 9 children who were compared with 9 patients who were observed but not given specific therapy. We concluded that intravenous immunoglobulin is a safe and effective treatment for childhood Guillain-Barre syndrome which shortens the time to recovery.