A CASE OF GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME ACCOMPANIED BY SYMPATHETIC OVERACTIVITY AND HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY

Hypertension has often been observed in patients with Guillain-Barre s yndrome, and various underlying mechanisms have been implicated. We re port the case of a child with the Guillain-Barre syndrome whose hypert ension was associated with increases in both renin activity and circul ating catecholamines. This case also appeared to be complicated by hyp ertensive encephalopathy. Following administration of intravenous regi tine, a blood pressure change was observed and cardiac performance was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography. Results indicated that increased total peripheral resistance may have been responsible for th e symptoms and the hypertension. The hypertension was effectively mana ged by nifedipine, captopril and prazosin without the need for beta-bl ockade.