Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)_KH_Parent

Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

What It Is


Why It's Done

Medical personnel perform lumbar punctures and test the cerebrospinal fluid to detect or rule out suspected diseases or conditions. CSF testing looks for signs of possible infection by analyzing the white blood cell count, glucose levels, protein, and bacteria or abnormal cells that can help identify specific diseases in the central nervous system.

Most lumbar punctures are done to test for meningitis, but they also can determine if there is bleeding in the brain, detect certain conditions affecting the nervous system such as Guillain Barré syndrome and multiple sclerosis, and administer chemotherapy medications.



The doctor doing the lumbar puncture will know your child's medical history but might ask additional questions, such as whether your child is allergic to any medicines.


The Procedure



Lumbar Puncture



After the CSF sample is collected (this usually takes about 5 minutes), the needle is withdrawn and a small bandage is placed on the site. Collected samples are sent to a lab for analysis and testing.

What to Expect


Getting the Results



A lumbar puncture is considered a safe procedure with minimal risks. Most of the time, there are no complications. In some instances, a patient may get a headache (it's recommended that patients lie down for a few hours after the test and drink plenty of fluids to help prevent headaches). And in rare cases, infection or bleeding can occur.

Helping Your Child


If You Have Questions


Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: September 2008

Related Sites

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

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