Like a polio ward from the 1950s is how Guy McKhann, M D , aneurology ...

â€œLike a polio ward from the 1950sâ€ is how Guy McKhann, M.D., a neurology specialist at...

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â€œLike a polio ward from the 1950sâ€ is how Guy McKhann, M.D., aneurology specialist at John Hopkins School of Medicine, describesa ward of Beijing Hospital that he visited on a trip to China in1986. Dozens of paralyzed children---some attached to respiratorsto assist their breathing--filled the ward to overflowing. Thechinese doctors thought the children had Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS), a rare paralytic condition, but Dr. McKhann wasnâ€™tconvinced. There were simply too many stricken children for theillness to be the rate Guillain-Barre syndrome. Was it polio--assome of the Beijing staff feared? Or was it another illness,perhaps one that had not yet been discovered? Guillain-Barresyndrome is a relatively rare paralytic condition that strikesafter a viral infection or an immunization. There is no cure, butusually the paralysis slowly disappears, and lost sensation slowlyreturns as the body repairs itself. In classic Guillain-Barre,patients can neither feel sensations nor move their muscles.
Is the paralytic illness that affected the chinesechildren a demyelinating condition? Why or why not?

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Demyelinating condition is characterised by loss of myelin sheath which insulates axon and is also responsible for faster conduction of nerve impulse. Guillain Barre syndrome is a demyelinating condition which shows ascending paralysis from lower limbs towards chest or upper limbs.

Whenever there is myelin loss, both sensory and motor functions are affected.

In this case, both sensory and motor functions are affected, but there is no history of nerve conduction tests.

Demyelinating condition is confirm by nerve conduction tests which shows decreased speed of conduction.

Nerve conduction tests also shows the strength of action potential and thus neuronal activity.

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â€œLike a polio ward from the 1950sâ€ is how Guy McKhann, M.D., a neurology specialist at...