Comparison of CSF parameters between traumatic and nontraumatic puncture in term versus preterm neonates

Abstract

<em>Introduction</em>: Evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) count and glucose and protein concentrations is used to assess the probability of the presence of central nervous system (CNS) infection. Although normal values are well established for CSF cell counts and protein and glucose contents in children and adults, this is not the case for neonates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the composition of noninfected CSF obtained by nontraumatic lumbar puncture in neonates (age < 28 days), specifically distinguishing CSF profiles of those term babies compared with those premature infants. <em>Materials& Methods</em>: The CSF samples obtained by lumbar puncture from 120 neonates were examined by routine procedures.Results: By comparing CSF parameters between term gestation neonate group with premature neonate one, nontraumatic puncture, there was no statistically significant difference(p<0.05) in the mean WBC (p=0.6 )The mean protein concentration was significantly greater in those premature neonates ( p <0.04). The mean glucose concentration was also analogous in both groups (p=0.5) <br/><em>Conclusion: </em>a prospective study using mortality under developmental follow up will better define the utility of CSF parameters in the premature neonate