Prognostic Value of Early Nerve Conduction Studies in Suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Pediatric Age Group: An Observational Study

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. In pediatric patients, early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improved outcomes. This observational study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of early nerve conduction studies (NCS) in pediatric patients diagnosed with GBS. The study was conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna from January 2022 to March 2023, involving 11 patients aged between five and 14 years. All patients underwent NCS on three occasions: within three days, between three to seven days, and between 7 and 14 days after admission. The findings indicated that 63.64% of the patients exhibited a demyelinating pattern (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, AIDP), while 36.36% showed an axonal pattern (acute motor axonal neuropathy, AMAN). Early NCS findings were critical in predicting the severity and guiding the timely initiation of appropriate treatment, leading to improved outcomes. This study underscores the importance of early electrophysiological assessment in pediatric GBS for optimal patient management and prognosis.