Diagnostic value of lumbar puncture in afebrile infants with suspected new-onset seizures

J Pediatr. 2008 Jul;153(1):140-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.02.030.

Abstract

No established guidelines address the need for lumbar puncture in fever-free infants younger than 6 months of age with a first seizure. We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid results in infants and found that lumbar puncture adds little diagnostic value to the evaluation of young, well-appearing infants presenting with possible new-onset seizures.

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epilepsy / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Glucose / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Pediatrics / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seizures / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Puncture*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Glucose