With the disappearance of polio, GBS has become the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children in Latin America.
Baseline GBS incidence and weakness data support regional surveillance in children; leaves open need for interventional trials on prevention.
In 1986, surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases among children <15 years of age was implemented in Latin America as part of the initiative to eradicate poliomyelitis from the Western Hemisphere. Data on AFP, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), could be analyzed from a regional registry system and from specific GBS studies in seven countries. Between 1989 and 1991, 3112 cases of GBS were reported in Latin America, representing 52% of all nonpolio AFP cases. From the studies in seven countries, a total of 1527 GBS cases (49%) were studied, representing an overall annual incidence rate of 0.91/100,000 children <15 years old. Follow-up investigations showed a persistent muscular weakness at 60 days, 6 months, and 1 year after onset in 61%, 14%, and 10% of children, respectively. This study confirms that with the disappearance of polio, GBS arises as the most common cause of AFP.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Olivé et al. (1997) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 3 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: