Utility of lumber puncture in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis among children with febrile seizures and without clinical signs of meningitis. | [Annals of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences • 2012]

Author(s):

1. Jai Krishin: Department of Pediatrics, Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Maqbool Hussain: Department of Pediatrics, Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Anisur-Rahman: Department of Pediatrics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

4. Wajeeha Amber: Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences(PIMS), Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract:

Objective: To determine the utility of Lumber Puncture in the diagnosis of bacterial Meningitis among Children with Febrile Seizures and without clinical signs of meningitis Materials and Methods: Children between 6 months and 5 years of age who were admitted with seizures associated with fever and without signs of meningitis were included in the study. Lumber puncture (LP) was done by a doctor after written consent from parents. CSF was sent to the pathology laboratory for routine examination, biochemistry and culture. All findings were entered in individual performa.Results: A total of 125 cases were enrolled in the study. Majority of patients 78 (62.4 %)were male. The mean age of patients was 31 months. The results of CSF microscopyshowed that 6(4.8%) had abnormal number of leukocyte count, while 119(95.2%) had anormal leukocyte count. Out of 125 study patients ,15(12%) had abnormal level of protein inCSF while 110(88%) had normal level of protein. Similarly 26(20.8%) of the study patientshad abnormal glucose level in the CSF while 99 (79.2%) had normal glucose level. In thecurrent study the yield of CSF culture and gram staining was only in 4(3.2%) patients.As per study objectives pyogenic meningitis was diagnosed in 6 patients which was 4.8% ofthe study patients. Out of these patients 5(4.1%) were up to 1 year of age while 1 (0.8%) wasover 1 year of age.Conclusion: A significant number of children presenting with fever and seizures do havemeningitis. Children under one year of age constitute a special risk group and in this groupLP should be performed in every case of febrile seizures, so that not even a single case ofbacterial meningitis can be missed.

Page(s): 110-112

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Annals of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Volume: 8, Issue: 2, Year: 2012

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