Guillian Barré Syndrome in a sample of Iraqi Children: Seasonal and sex variation

Abstract

Background: Seasonal variation and gender preponderance have not been adequately studied in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Objective: This study aims to evaluate the seasonal variation and sex preponderance in children with Guillian Barré Syndrome. Patients and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out by reviewing wards’ registry of all cases with Guillian Barré Syndrome admitted to Children Welfare Teaching Hospital during a 10-year period (1999 - 2008). Age, sex, seasonal distribution, residence and outcome were analysed. Results: Guillian Barré Syndrome was diagnosed in 217 (126 boys, 91 girls) patients and the annual hospital rate of admission was 22.9 /100000 children. There was increase annual incidence from 1999 till 2008 with a drop in 2006, boys: girls ratio was 1.4:1 and boys were older than girls. Clustering of cases was found during January, March, May and November over the 10-year period, 37% of cases occurred during winter and 52.5% of patients were from Baghdad. Conclusion: Guillian Barré Syndrome is more common in boys. Boys were older than girls. Clustering of cases was found during winter season.

Keywords

• Guillian Barré Syndrome; Iraqi children; seasonal clustering.