Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is characterized as an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Although the cause and pathogenesis of GBS remain unknown, the fact that most cases of GBS are preceded by an infection suggests that GBS has an immunologic basis. Plasmapheresis can shorten the duration of GBS, but it requires both appropriate equipment and trained medical staff. As an alternative therapy to plasmapheresis, we have tried intravenous high-dose gammaglobulin in a 3-year-old girl with this syndrome. The treatment produced rapid improvement of muscle strength of the patient.
We confirmed that the intravenous high-dose gammaglobulin is useful in the treatment of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome.