A Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak has raised alarm in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch district after two children have died and 18 cases have been reported, as per health officials in the state, reported The Hindu. This has led authorities to take immediate steps towards detection and treatment of the patients.
Two children – Sonu Soni, 15, and Keshav Detwal, 6, both residents of Neemuch’s Manasa area of Madhya Pradesh have lost their lives to immunological disorder, while nine confirmed and nine suspected cases are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
Meanwhile, symptoms of around 150 people who are found to have developed cold and cough are being monitored, Manasa sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Kiran Anjana told the Hindu. She also informed the publication that a special ward had been set up at the Civil Hospital for any new and existing patients.
Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health and Medical Education Minister Rajendra Shukla visited the Manasa town to review the situation.
“In the dedicated ward, specialists from the Neemuch Medical College along with ventilator operators have been instructed to operate and manage the facility. The symptoms of the disease are the primary way to identify cases. Therefore, the entire team has been actively conducting door-to-door surveys in the past few days,” Shukla told the reporters.
“Samples taken from a water purification plant and other places have not been found contaminated at first glance. Samples of patients’ blood serum, food items and other materials have been sent to institutes in Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune for testing,” he informed.
In light of the outbreak, Financial Express.com got in touch with a Pediatrician and Neurologist of CK Birla Hospital, to understand common causes, symptoms, and prevention tips.
What is GBS and how does it present in children?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own nerves. In children, it usually starts as weakness in the legs, tingling in hands or feet, difficulty walking, or trouble holding objects. Facial muscles may also be affected in some cases, Dr. Lalita Kanojiya, Additional Director – Pediatrics, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, told Financial Express.com.
GBS often develops one to three weeks after a child recovers from an infection.
“Common triggers include gastrointestinal infections, particularly those caused by Campylobacter jejuni, as well as respiratory infections and viral illnesses such as influenza. The immune response generated to fight the infection may mistakenly target nerve cells, leading to inflammation and nerve damage,” says Dr Anirban Chattopadhyay, Consultant – Critical Care Medicine, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata.
Most often, GBS occurs after viral infections like flu, Epstein-Barr, or gastroenteritis caused by bacteria like Campylobacter. Very rarely, it can follow minor surgery or vaccination.
How fast can GBS progress in children, and when does it become life-threatening?
GBS can progress rapidly, sometimes worsening over a few days and typically reaching peak severity within two to four weeks.
“It becomes life-threatening when the weakness affects the respiratory muscles or when there is involvement of the autonomic nervous system, leading to fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure. At this stage, children may require intensive care and ventilatory support,” says Dr Chattopadhyay.
What are the earliest symptoms of GBS in children, and how are they different from routine viral weakness?
Look for tingling, leg weakness, trouble walking, or sudden fatigue that worsens. Unlike viral fatigue, GBS progresses rapidly and often causes loss of reflexes, says Dr Kanojiya.
“GBS-related weakness progressively worsens and affects both sides of the body symmetrically,” says Dr Chattopadhyay.
What is the typical order of symptom progression?
It starts with tingling, progressing with weakness in feet followed by facial weakness or in arms.
“Over time, this can spread to the arms, facial muscles, and muscles involved in swallowing. In severe cases, the respiratory muscles may be affected, leading to breathing difficulty,” says Dr Chattopadhyay.
Are there warning signs that indicate an emergency requiring immediate hospitalisation or ICU care?
Rapidly worsening weakness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing or speaking, severe pain, or facial drooping are signs that an immediate hospitalisation is essential, says Dr Kanojiya.
What is the standard treatment protocol for GBS?
The standard treatment includes immunotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange to halt the immune attack on the nerves, along with intensive supportive care and close monitoring, says Dr Chattopadhyay.
After recovery begins, which symptoms improve first, and how long does full neurological recovery usually take?
“Upper body strength often returns first, reflexes last. Full neurological recovery usually takes weeks to months, sometimes up to a year, but most children recover completely,” says Dr Kanojiya.
What preventive or early-action advice should parents follow?
“Parents should seek immediate medical evaluation if a child develops progressive limb weakness following an infection. Maintaining hygiene to prevent infections and not ignoring early symptoms is crucial,” says Dr Chattopadhyay.
Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome contagious?
No, GBS is not contagious and cannot spread within families or communities. Only the triggering infection may be, says Dr Kanojiya.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While the author has incorporated expert medical guidance while producing the story and ensured full authentic information is provided to the reader, you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.