Chapter 20 – Acute Polyneuropathies

The acute polyneuropathies are a group of acquired, generally immune-mediated or infectious disorders causing dysfunction and sometimes degeneration of peripheral nerves, spinal sensory and motor nerve roots, and occasionally the cranial nerves. The most common of these conditions is the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children. Recent reports have highlighted the variable clinical and neurophysiologic subtypes of pediatric GBS, and emphasized the value of imaging in diagnosis of this disorder. This chapter discusses the heterogeneous presentations of this disorder, the frequency of disease-related complications, and the importance of assiduous clinical care in pediatric GBS. The chapter also covers the natural history, presentation, and treatment of tick paralysis, a rare condition that mainly affects children and that is potentially life-threatening if not appropriately diagnosed and managed.