Guillain-Barré syndrome

noun

Guil·​lain-Bar·​ré syndrome ˌgē-ˌlan-ˌbä-ˈrā- 

ˌgē-yaⁿ-

: an uncommon autoimmune disorder of sudden onset that is an inflammatory neuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, that is initially marked by tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation in the feet and legs usually spreading to the arms, upper body, and face, that often causes severe nerve pain and breathing difficulties and sometimes progresses to paralysis and in rare instances death

Note: The cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown but individuals often experience onset a few weeks after a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome typically occurs within six to twelve months from initial onset but may take up to three years. Upon recovery, some individuals may have residual numbness, tingling, and weakness.

Examples of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The baseball player had missed eight games to be with his family after Max was diagnosed with transient synovitis (also known as irritable hip) and Guillain-Barre syndrome in July. —Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved GSK’s RSV vaccine for people 50 and up; however, the committee declined to recommend the shot for that age group, citing the risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks nerves. —Alice Park, TIME, 28 June 2024

Diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome last fall, Mumford exhibits a particularly positive attitude. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2024

The risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome after Covid infection was six times greater, and the risk of developing it after vaccination was 0.41 times greater than the control group, according to a 2023 study published in Neurology. —Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

There was a hint of a rare but serious risk — one case of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause usually temporary paralysis, and two cases of a type of brain and spinal cord inflammation. —Lauran Neergaard, Anchorage Daily News, 3 May 2023

English has been inspired by captain Tim Donahue, who was diagnosed earlier this year with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. —Ethan Winter, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2023

Much of Tuesday's meeting centered on two cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological reaction, diagnosed in two people out of about 20,000 who received Pfizer's shot. —Matthew Perrone, ajc, 28 Feb. 2023

The company similarly reported a potential case of Guillain-Barre syndrome among vaccine recipients but said there was insufficient evidence to confirm a diagnosis. —Janelle Chavez, CNN, 24 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Georges Guillain †1961 French physician and Jean A. Barré †1967 French neurologist

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Guillain-Barré syndrome

noun

Guil·​lain-Bar·​ré syndrome ˌgē-ˌlan-ˌbä-ˈrā-  ˌgē-yaⁿ- 

: an uncommon autoimmune disorder of sudden onset that is an inflammatory neuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, that is initially marked by tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation in the feet and legs usually spreading to the arms, upper body, and face, that often causes severe nerve pain and breathing difficulties, and sometimes progresses to paralysis and in rare instances death

Note: The cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown but individuals often experience onset a few weeks after a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome typically occurs within six to twelve months from initial onset but may take up to three years. Upon recovery, some individuals may have residual numbness, tingling, and weakness.

—abbreviation GBS

called also Landry's paralysis