All issues > Volume 34(1); 1991

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1991;34(1):66-73. Published online January 31, 1991.

Therapeutic effects of plasmapheresis in Guillian-Barre syndrome.

Sung Jin Chang¹, Sun Hee Jung¹, Eun Sook Suh¹, Chin Moo Kang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Keimyung University, School of Medicine, Taegu, Korea

Received: August 17, 1990;  Accepted: October 29, 1990.

Abstract

Although the exact mechanism of the immunologic injury is unknown, the pathogenesis of the Guillain-Barr受 syndrome is explained as an autoimmune attack directed against to peripheral nervous myelin. So plasmapheresis is tried for treatment of Guillain-Barr즌 syndrome. Authors analysed 12 cases af Guillain-Barr受 syndrome who were treated with plasmapheresis and compared the results with that of the 13 cases, treated with conventional therapy. Duration between onset and begining of recovery is shortened in plasmapheresis group. The motor power score at discharge was 4.2±1.0 in pheresis group, 3.0±l.l in conventional therapy group. The recovery rate of the pheresis and conventional therapy group was 41.7% and 7.7% re- spectively. No cases were expired in pheresis group contrast to 23,1% mortality in conventional therapy group. Plasmapheresis is of significant beneits for the treatment of Guillain-Barr受 syndrome in time until onset of improvement, improvement motor power and the recovery rate. A brief review of the literature was made.

Keywords :Guillain-Barre syndrome;Plasmapheresis