Guillain-Barré syndrome: clinical and therapeutic observations.

Better outcomes for patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome are associated with five factors: younger age, no requirement for respiratory assistance, slower progression of disease, normal peripheral nerve function by electrodiagnostic criteria, and treatment by plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is the only factor that the treating physician can modify. Consideration of the use of plasmapheresis in children, type of replacement fluid, plasma exchange by simpler methods than plasmapheresis, and possible alternative approaches to therapy are discussed.