Guillain-Barre Syndrome With Concomitant Severe Preeclampsia: A Case Report

Abstract

With an estimated 100,000 new cases yearly worldwide, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of flaccid paralysis. GBS is exceedingly rare in pregnancy and carries high maternal and fetal risk. We report a case of a 38-year-old essential primigravida who presented at 38 weeks six days gestational age with ascending paraplegia progressing to dysarthria, dysphagia, and facial weakness. A clinical diagnosis of GBS was made in an outside institution, supported by elevated protein on lumbar puncture. During the antepartum period, a diagnosis of gestational hypertension progressed to preeclampsia with severe features when a sudden rise in liver function tests occurred. The patient underwent an uneventful planned cesarean delivery but could not be extubated due to respiratory failure. After a 20-day critical care admission, she was extubated and had an improvement in neurologic status to near her baseline.

Diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barre using the prolog expert system

“…Generally, this disorder is triggered by a previous infection and can pose a potentially serious threat [2]. Furthermore, it is the leading cause of acute flaccid paralysis worldwide, and in most patients, prior illness, such as respiratory tract infection, is present before manifesting progressive muscle weakness [3], [4]. Leading to ascending muscle weakness and paralysis, which, in some cases, can be lifethreatening.…”