MMR Vaccination and Guillain–Barré Syndrome in a Child: A Case Report and Literature Review

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in the Indian scenario, occurring mostly post-viral infections. Though the pathophysiology of GBS is not completely understood, immune stimulation is postulated to be the root cause of its pathogenesis. Therefore, a post-vaccine association of GBS is biologically possible. Here, we report a case of a 10-month-old male child who developed GBS one month following measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccination. The child presented with a typical progressive decrease in movement of the upper and lower limbs bilaterally over a period of seven days. Due to involvement of the respiratory system, the child was initially managed in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The child improved over time and is presently doing well in follow-up. There is a possibility of MMR-induced GBS in this child. However, the potential risk of adverse effects should not be a cause for rejection of vaccination.