Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27794112›Full record

ArticleNeurology2016

Safety of lumbar puncture in comatose children with clinical features of cerebral malaria.

Christopher A Moxon, Lei Zhao, Chenxi Li, Karl B Seydel, Ian J MacCormick, Peter J Diggle, Macpherson Mallewa, Tom Solomon, Nicholas A Beare, Simon J Glover and 6 more

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
2.4field-weighted citation impact, top 10% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 24 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Malaria.The New England journal of medicine · 2025
    Review
  4. Management of acute meningitis.Clinical medicine (London, England) · 2018
    Article
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors at 8 institutions in 4 countries.

Christopher A MoxonFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Lei ZhaoFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Chenxi LiFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Karl B SeydelFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Ian J MacCormickFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Peter J DiggleFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Macpherson MallewaFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Tom SolomonFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Nicholas A BeareFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Simon J GloverFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Simon P HardingFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Susan LewallenFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Sam KampondeniFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Michael J PotchenFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Terrie E TaylorFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY.
Douglas G PostelsFrom the Institute of Infection and Global Health (C.A.M., T.S.) and Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (I.J.M., N.A.B., S.P.G., S.P.H.), University of Liverpool (S.P.H.), UK; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., C.L.) and Osteopathic Medical Specialties (K.B.S.) and International Neurology and Psychiatry Epidemiology Program (D.G.P.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Lancaster University (P.J.D.), UK; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (M.M.) and the Blantyre Malaria Project (T.E.T.), University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre; St. Paul's Eye Unit (N.A.B.), Royal Liverpool University Hospital; School of Medicine (S.J.G.), University of St. Andrews, UK; Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO) (S.L.), University of Cape Town, Department of Ophthalmology, OMB Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, South Africa; Department of Radiology (S.K.), Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; and Department of Imaging Services (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY. douglas.postels@ht.msu.edu.
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital · MWUniversity of Liverpool · GBUniversity of St Andrews · GBLancaster University · GBUniversity of Cape Town · ZAGroote Schuur Hospital · ZARoyal Liverpool University Hospital · GBUniversity of Malawi · MW

Funding

Department of Health IS-HPU-1112-10117Department of Health RP-PG-0108-10048Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveWe assessed the independent association of lumbar puncture (LP) and death in Malawian children admitted to the hospital with the clinical features of cerebral malaria (CM).

methodsThis was a retrospective cohort study in Malawian children with clinical features of CM. Allocation to LP was nonrandom and was associated with severity of illness. Propensity score-based analyses were used to adjust for this bias and assess the independent association between LP and mortality.

resultsData were available for 1,075 children: 866 (80.6%) underwent LP and 209 (19.4%) did not. Unadjusted mortality rates were lower in children who underwent LP (15.3% vs 26.7% in the no-LP group) but differences in covariates between the 2 groups suggested bias in LP allocation. After propensity score matching, all covariates were balanced. Propensity score-based analyses showed no change in mortality rate associated with LP: by inverse probability weighting, the average risk reduction was 2.0% at 12 hours (95% confidence interval -1.5% to 5.5%, p = 0.27) and 1.7% during hospital admission (95% confidence interval -4.5% to 7.9%, p = 0.60). Undergoing LP did not change the risk of mortality in subanalyses of children with severe brain swelling on MRI or in those with papilledema.

conclusionIn comatose children with suspected CM who were clinically stable, we found no evidence that LP increases mortality, even in children with objective signs of raised intracranial pressure.

Indexed as

AdolescentBrainChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHospitalizationHumansInfantMagnetic Resonance ImagingMalaria, CerebralMalawiMalePapilledemaPropensity ScoreRetrospective StudiesRisk

Identifiers

PMID27794112
PMCPMC5135026
OpenAlexW2541684546

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