Guillian barré syndrome in a sample of Iraqi children : seasonal and sex variation

Abstract EN

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.