Clinical Predictors of Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis in Neonates: Clinical Predictors of CSF Pleocytosis in Neonates.
10.5385/jksn.2012.19.3.121
- Author:
Ji Hye GWAK
1
;
Woo Suck SUH
;
Juyoung LEE
;
Jung Hyun LEE
;
In Kyung SUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. ljhped@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cerebrospinal fluid;
Spinal puncture;
Newborn;
Meningitis
- MeSH:
Aged;
Bacterial Infections;
Blood Urea Nitrogen;
Information Storage and Retrieval;
Electronics;
Electrons;
Fever;
Humans;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Lethargy;
Leukocytosis;
Logistic Models;
Meningitis;
Prognosis;
Retrospective Studies;
Sepsis;
Spinal Puncture
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology
2012;19(3):121-126
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Young infants with suspected sepsis routinely undergo laboratory evaluation. In particular, when an infant is a newborn baby, evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been frequently included, because the prognosis is poor, irrespectively of the etiology of meningitis. We aimed to examine the clinical predictors of CSF pleocytosis among the newborns. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all infants, aged 30 days or younger, requiring lumbar puncture. Electronic data sources provided the demographic data of the newborns, the clinical manifestations, and all laboratory values. After a univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed to predict newborns at increased risk for CSF pleocytosis. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen newborns were studied; 20 of whom (17.7%) had CSF pleocytosis. Fever was significantly associated with CSF pleocytosis (P=0.008, OR=5.08, 95% CI, 1.39-18.54). The infants with lethargic appearance also had an increased risk for CSF pleocytosis. Blood urea nitrogen level was higher in patients with pleocytosis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that other clinical features and laboratory data were not significant, except for fever and lethargy. A total of 45% of the infants with CSF pleocytosis were diagnosed with serious bacterial infection, as opposed to 19.4% of those without CSF pleocytosis. CONCLUSION: In case of neonates, it would be better to perform lumbar puncture, when the infant has fever or lethargic appearance, although, the results of routine laboratory tests were nonspecific.
