Guillain-Barré Syndrome: incidence, management and outcome of major complications.

From October 1970 to March 1980, 33 patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) were treated at the Royal Newcastle Hospital (RNH). One patient died and 2 made incomplete neurological recoveries. This study shows that although GBS is an uncommon disease, a significant number (28%) of patients have a severe form of the illness that results in acute respiratory failure and frequently requires artificial ventilation (AV). This latter group of patients have a high incidence of major complications. Methods of reducing the incidence of these complications are suggested.