Normal cerebrospinal fluid values in full-term gestation and premature neonates

ABSTRACT

Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations from 77 high-risk neonates were reviewed. The mean CSF white cells (WBC) count was 4.5 cell/mm3, being two standard deviations above the mean 11.7 cells/mm3 in the full-term gestation neonate group; in the premature neonate one, the mean CSF WBC count was 5.1 cells/mm3, being two standard deviations above the mean 16.7 cell/mm3. PMNs (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) were present in less than 40 per cent of those children, being the mean PMN percentage 4.2 per cent and 0.6 per cent, the mean ANC (absolute neutrophil count) was 0.3/mm3 and 0.06/mm3, in full-term gestation neonate group and premature neonate one, respectively. The mean CSF protein concentration is significantly greater in those premature neonates (101.2 mg/dl) compared with that in term neonates (77.6 mg/dl). The average glucose was just the same in both groups (67 mg/dl). All of these values were from patients who underwent nontraumatic cisternal puncture, with no red blood cells (RBC/mm3=0). Traumatic puncture, even up to 500 RBC/mm3, interfered on CSF parameters.