skip banner - Return to original view
site viewing options
 
Parents|Medical Information|Professionals|In your area|Campaigns

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background

Guillain-Barré syndrome: GBS; Acute Inflammatory Polyneuropathy

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute illness which is caused by inflammation of peripheral nerves leading to loss of sensation, muscle weakness and, in more serious cases, complete paralysis and breathing difficulty.

The disease varies in speed of onset with children reaching their maximal disability over a matter of days or, much more gradually over a period of up to four weeks.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written December 1996 by Dr S A Robb. Additional material provided June 2000 by Professor R A C Hughes, Professor of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine, London, UK. Last reviewed January 2009 by Dr S A Robb, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK

 

Tell us what you think of this information...

Print whole article Print whole article

 

This Web Site © Copyright, Contact a Family 2010
Contact a Family, 209-211 City Road, London EC1V 1JN
Tel: 020 7608 8700

Registered Charity No. 284912. Charity registered in Scotland No. SC039169
Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 1633333.
HM Revenue & Customs charity tax reference No. XN54769. VAT Reg. No. GB 749 3846 82

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.