Guillain-barre Syndrome in Pregnancy: Case Series and Review of Literature

Abstract

This is a case series of a healthy woman diagnosed with Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) in pregnancy. GBS has been linked to antecedent infectious agents like Campylobacter jejuni (most common), Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, etc. The present study is a 6-year retrospective observational study conducted at our institution from January 2014 to December 2020. Medical records of women in pregnancy and puerperium diagnosed as GBS based on clinical, laboratory, and electro-diagnostic features using Brighton's criteria were selected. In the electro-physical study, it was found that 3(37.5%) out of 8 patients had acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy, 3(37.5%) patients had acute motor axonal neuropathy, and 2(25%) patients had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. In this case series, 3(37.5%) of patients received intravenous immunoglobulin, 3(37.5%) patients received plasma exchange, and 2(25%) patients received only supportive treatment with neither immunoglobulin nor plasma exchange. Early diagnosis and treatment with intensive supportive care improve the prognosis for both mother and fetus. There must be a multidisciplinary approach with gynaecologists, neurologists, physicians, psychologists, and physiotherapists to manage this disease to prevent poor maternal and perinatal outcomes.