Prospective comparison of acute motor axonal neuropathy and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in 140 children with Guillain-Barre syndrome in India

IntroductionThere have been few reports on subtypes of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in children. We compared clinical and laboratory findings of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). MethodsOne hundred forty children with GBS were included. Based on nerve conduction study (NCS) findings, patients were subclassified as AIDP, AMAN, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), and equivocal. ResultsClinically, 72.1% of patients had pure motor, 24.3% motor sensory, and 3.4% Miller Fisher syndrome. Based on NCS, 67.8% of patients had AIDP, 23.6% had AMAN, and 4.3% had AMSAN. By 3 months, 2.1% patients had died, 47.1% had complete recovery, and 24.3% had poor recovery (wheelchair-bound). Children with AMAN had more frequent lower limb weakness (P=0.02) and a lower probability of complete recovery (P=0.01) at 3 months than children with AIDP (56% vs. 30%). DiscussionAIDP is the most common GBS subtype in children. It is characterized by better recovery at 3 months when compared with AMAN. Muscle Nerve57: 761-765, 2018