Pregnancy, anaesthesia and Guillain Barre syndrome

Abstract

Two case histories of pregnant women with Guillain Barre syndrome (acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis) are reported. The first required anaesthesia during the second trimester for a minor surgical procedure. The second woman was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in the first trimester and was ventilated for 18 weeks. Both babies were carried to term and delivered by Caesarean section. A review of the management of Guillain Barre syndrome in pregnancy discusses anaesthetic management, intensive care and the use of plasmapheresis and γ-globulins. The care of pregnant women recovered from Guillain Barre syndrome is also discussed.