Guillain-Barre syndrome in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A 4-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving maintenance tr eatment developed quadriparesis, facial palsy, difficulty in swallowing, an d hypertension following a respiratory infection and candida septicemia. Ex amination of the cerebrospinal fluid was normal initially but later showed albuminoncytologic dissociation, tile characteristic finding of Guillain-Ba rre syndrome. Complete recovery occurred after treatment with intravenous i mmunoglobulin. Differential diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome from vincr istine toxicity in patients with leukemia and possible association with the infections are discussed.