Guillian Barre syndrome is most common cause of rapidly progressing paralysis in children in most countries. It is charachterized by rapidly progressing weakness , often symmetric with relative paucity of sensory symptoms. It often follows upper respiratory tract or gastrointestinal infections and has been associated with a variety of other systemic disorders. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange hasten recovery and have greatly reduced the mortality and morbidity. Studies on pathogenesis demonstrate that antibodies against myelin components and macrophages play a major role in causing injury to the myelin or axons.Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of rapidly progressing paralysis in children and adults. There are few other emergencies that call for rapid and organized approach to diagnosis and management. Mortality from Guillian Barre syndrome was 20 to 30% and much of the reduction in mortality is the result of improvement in management of the critically ill in the Intensive care setting and prompt implementation of supportive and disease modifying therapy. In this paper, we will discuss the clinical features of Guillian Barre syndrome, differential diagnosis and orderly evaluation and management.

Key words: Childhood polyneuropathy, demyelination, ganglioside antibodies, plasmapheresis, plasma exchange.