title: Importance of Normal Values of CSF Parameters in Term Versus Preterm Neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) count and glucose and protein concentrations is used to assess the probability of the presence of central nervous system (CNS) infection. Although normal values are well established for CSF cell counts and protein and glucose contents in children and adults, this is not the case for neonates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the composition of noninfected CSF obtained by nontraumatic lumbar puncture in neonates (age<28 days), specifically distinguishing CSF profiles of those term babies compared with those premature infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CSF samples obtained by lumbar puncture from 120 neonates were examined by routine procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By comparing CSF parameters between term gestation neonate group with premature neonate one, nontraumatic puncture, there was no statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean WBC (P=0.6). The mean protein concentration was significantly greater in those premature neonates (P<0.04). The mean glucose concentration was also analogous in both groups (P=0.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CSF profile, like any other laboratory determination, should be evaluated within the clinical context of the individual case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bio Chemistry, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Arijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majumdar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bio Chemistry, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Angshuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bio Chemistry, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Anirban
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bio Chemistry, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Soumali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bio Chemistry, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Swagata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhatacharyya
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bio Chemistry, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Post Graduate Institute of Pediatric Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Santanu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bannerjee
keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid parameters; preterm neonates; term neonates