Status epilepticus secondary to hypertensive encephalopathy as the presenting manifestation of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Author(s): Abend NS, Bonnemann CG, Licht DJ

Affiliation(s): Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. abend@email.chop.edu

Publication date & source: 2007-09, Pediatr Emerg Care., 23(9):659-61.

Publication type: Case Reports

Malignant hypertension due to autonomic dysfunction is a known complication of Guillain-Barre syndrome. We describe a child who presented with status epilepticus secondary to hypertensive encephalopathy who, in recovery, was found to be areflexic. Nerve conduction studies confirmed the clinical diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome. She was treated with antihypertensive and antiseizure medications and intravenous immune globulin with complete resolution of her autonomic symptoms and improvement in her weakness. Guillain-Barre syndrome may result in hypertensive encephalopathy that can manifest as status epilepticus before the onset of motor symptoms.