The Frequency and positivity of lumbar punctures in Iraqi children

Abstract

Concern about a reduction in the number of lumbar punctures (LP) performed worldwide, this study was aimed to assess the frequency of lumbar punctures performed in the maternity and children teaching hospital in Diwaniyah, Iraq. with a focus on the rate of positive results. In a retrospective observational study, the results of CSF analysis in the lab of maternity and children teaching hospital were reviewed and the patient’s records were traced over a period of one the year 2016 and compared with that of 2015, the number of emergencies and pediatric ward admissions during these 2 years was recorded and the results were compared. During the period from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2016, 78 results of CSF analysis were found, the number of positive results defined by pleocytosis and elevated CSF protein was 35, constituting 34%. Although the precise positivity of CSF in suspected cases of meningitis and febrile seizures was difficult to be determined, the frequency of LPs in this hospital is not decreasing but done on the basis of strong suspicions of CNS infections.