Question

A 5-year-old patient has been ill for 3 weeks, experiencing difficulty walking and blurred vision in the lower limbs. There is also blepharitis, and the patient is being seen again at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. How has past treatment been and what help is needed?

Answer

The clinical manifestations of Guillain-Barré syndrome include:

  1. Motor dysfunction: The main symptoms are paralysis of the limbs and trunk muscles, which usually starts in the lower extremities and gradually spreads to the trunk muscles, upper extremities, and cranial nerves, often progressing from one side to the other. The condition typically peaks within 1 to 2 weeks. Paralysis is usually more pronounced in the proximal muscles than in the distal ones, with decreased muscle tone. When respiratory, swallowing, and speech functions are affected, respiratory paralysis, swallowing difficulties, and speech disorders may occur, posing a threat to life.
  2. Sensory dysfunction: This is less severe and often involves numbness and tingling sensations in the distal parts of the limbs. There may also be loss of superficial sensation, hyperesthesia, and spontaneous pain. Pressure points are typically found in the peroneal muscles and forearm muscles. Segmental or conduction bundle sensory deficits may occasionally be seen.