Abstract
Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is one of the most common causes of acute flaccid paralysis. It is characterized by symmetrical limb weakness accompanied by diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes, with maximal clinical severity typically reached within four weeks. The diagnosis of GBS in children remains challenging for several reasons, including limitations in communication and neurological examination, as well as the heterogeneous clinical presentation. Only approximately one-third of preschool-aged children are correctly diagnosed with GBS at the time of hospital admission [26]. Electrophysiological studies are also more difficult to perform in children than in adults. Painful electrical stimulation may exacerbate pre-existing neuropathic pain, making it difficult to perform a comprehensive nerve conduction study and needle electromyography; consequently, repeated electrophysiological assessments are often impractical [16]. To date, there is limited high-quality evidence regarding the treatment of pediatric GBS, and current management is largely based on treatment protocols established for adults. Although the overall prognosis of GBS in children is generally favorable, deaths related to autonomic dysfunction or treatment-related complications have been reported [28]. Numerous prognostic factors have been investigated in adults; however, only a limited number have been validated for use in the pediatric population.
