Guillian Barre syndrome is most common cause of rapidly progressing paralysis in children in most countries. It is charachterized by rapidly progressing weakness, often symmetric with relative paucity of sensory symptoms. It often follows upper respiratory tract or gastrointestinal infections and has been associated with a variety of other systemic disorders. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange hasten recovery and have greatly reduced the mortality and morbidity. Studies on pathogenesis demonstrate that antibodies against myelin components and macrophages play a major role in causing injury to the myelin or axons.

Keywords: Childhood polyneuropathy; Demyelination; Ganglioside antibodies; Plasmapheresis; Plasma exchange.