Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)


A lumbar puncture collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spine to check for infections or inflammatory conditions like meningitis, encephalitis, or multiple sclerosis.

• Why it matters: It helps identify infections that affect the brain and spinal cord.

• In children: It’s especially important when a baby or child shows fever, seizures, or neck stiffness.

• Statistic: Early lumbar puncture diagnosis has reduced meningitis-related deaths by 70% in developed countries (WHO, 2023).

• What families should know: The child may need to lie still; local numbing medicine is used to minimize discomfort.


References:

World Health Organization. (2023). Meningitis Factsheet.

National Institutes of Health. (2024). Cerebrospinal Fluid Testing.