ArticleBMC pediatrics2002
The role of lumbar puncture in children with suspected central nervous system infection.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2002. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 48 citations in OpenAlex.
- A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of a tailored intervention to improve the initial management of suspected encephalitis.PloS one · 2018Trial
- The evaluation of a tailored intervention to improve the management of suspected viral encephalitis: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.Implementation science : IS · 2015Trial
- Author Response: A Neurological Outcome Score for Ventilated PICU Patients Should Only Include Neurological, Objective Outcome Parameters.Indian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine · 2025Article
- MAGLIO study: epideMiological Analysis on invasive meninGococcaL disease in Italy: fOcus on hospitalization from 2015 to 2019.Internal and emergency medicine · 2023Article
- A Comprehensive Review of Pediatric Acute Encephalopathy.Journal of clinical medicine · 2022Review
- Bulging fontanelle in febrile infants as a predictor of bacterial meningitis.European journal of pediatrics · 2021Article
- Parental Refusal to Lumbar Puncture: Effects on Treatment, Hospital Stay and Leave Against Medical Advice.Cureus · 2020Article
- Bacterial meningitis in Sudanese children; critical evaluation of the clinical decision using clinical prediction rules.BMC pediatrics · 2019Article
- Safety of lumbar puncture in comatose children with clinical features of cerebral malaria.Neurology · 2016Article
- Diagnostic value of lumbar puncture among infants and children presenting with fever and convulsions.Electronic physician · 2016Article
- Bacterial meningitis in Malawian adults, adolescents, and children during the era of antiretroviral scale-up and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination, 2000-2012.Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2014Article
- Suboptimal management of central nervous system infections in children: a multi-centre retrospective study.BMC pediatrics · 2012Article
- Herpes simplex serious neurological disease in young children: incidence and long-term outcome.Archives of disease in childhood · 2012Article
- Cerebro spinal fluid analysis in childhood bacterial meningitis.Oman medical journal · 2008Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe use of the lumbar puncture in the diagnosis of central nervous system infection in acutely ill children is controversial. Recommendations have been published but it is unclear whether they are being followed.
methodsThe medical case notes of 415 acute medical admissions in a children's hospital were examined to identify children with suspected central nervous system infection and suspected meningococcal septicaemia. We determined whether lumbar punctures were indicated or contraindicated, whether they had been performed, and whether the results contributed to the patients' management.
resultsFifty-two children with suspected central nervous system infections, and 43 with suspected meningococcal septicaemia were identified. No lumbar punctures were performed in patients with contraindications, but only 25 (53%) of 47 children with suspected central nervous system infection and no contraindications received a lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture findings contributed to the management in 18 (72%) of these patients, by identifying a causative organism or excluding bacterial meningitis.
conclusionThe recommendations for undertaking lumbar punctures in children with suspected central nervous system infection are not being followed because many children that should receive lumbar punctures are not getting them. When they are performed, lumbar puncture findings make a useful contribution to the patients' management.
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