Risk factors for mechanical ventilation in children with Guillain‐Barré syndrome

Abstract

Introduction We assessed clinical predictors of mechanical ventilation in children with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in order to help identify patients who require mechanical ventilation. Methods We retrospectively collected the clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological data of 103 children with GBS. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the requirement for mechanical ventilation. Variables that were significantly different between the two groups in univariate analysis were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression models. Results Time from symptom onset to admission (P = 0.002), facial or bulbar weakness (P = 0.001) and axonal type (P = 0.005) were associated with mechanical ventilation in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, facial or bulbar weakness (odds ratio [OR] 7.936; P = 0.020) and axonal type (OR 4.582; P = 0.013) were independent predictors for mechanical ventilation. Discussion Facial or bulbar weakness and axonal type were associated with increased risk for mechanical ventilation in children with GBS.