Which of the following are risk factors for Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

• A. Age under 5
• B. Associated with swine flu immunizations
• C. History of epilepsy
• D. Chronic diabetes

Answer: (B)

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute inflammatory neuropathy that most often follows an infection, and in rare cases can be triggered by vaccination. The swine flu immunization option reflects the historical observation that the 1976 swine flu vaccine was associated with an increased risk of GBS, though the overall risk is very small and vaccines remain safe for the vast majority of people.

The other factors listed do not represent known risk factors for GBS: age under five is not specifically linked to higher risk, a history of epilepsy does not predispose to GBS, and chronic diabetes is more associated with other types of neuropathies rather than the acute autoimmune process of GBS.

So, vaccination history—specifically swine flu immunizations—best fits as a risk factor for Guillain-Barré syndrome in this context.