title: Measurement of cerebrospinal fluid protein is unnecessary in children with leukemia.
abstract: To determine the incidence and importance of abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein in children with acute leukemia, we performed a retrospective chart review. On 160 pediatric patients a total of 2,172 LPs were performed (median per patient = 15; range 1-38). Overall, 314 (14%) of CSF protein measurements were abnormal: 141 (7%) were abnormally low (<15 mg/dL) and 158 (7%) were abnormally high (>45 mg/dL). In no case did an abnormal CSF protein impact patient management. We conclude that routine measurement of CSF protein is not indicated in children with acute leukemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, NC 27157, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lovato
authors.forename: Garick
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: McLean
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007938:Leukemia; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013129:Spinal Puncture
chemical_list: D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins