Spinal tap or lumbar puncture in babies is a process that involves the extraction of cerebrospinal fluid from the lower spine. This process is useful in the diagnosis of chronic illnesses. It is mostly done when doctors find it challenging to detect the reason for an illness through any other diagnostic test. Read this post to learn more about lumbar puncture in babies, the reasons behind doing it, the side effects of the procedure, and how to care for your baby after the lumbar puncture is done.
What Is Lumbar Puncture?
Lumbar puncture, also referred to as a spinal tap, is the process of inserting a syringe in the lower spine to extract cerebrospinal fluid (a clear liquid that circulates within the nervous system, carrying vital nutrients) (1). The fluid is drawn out from a cavity or pocket of cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the entire nervous system. Cerebrospinal fluid is significant because it can provide valuable insights into the health of the nervous system and display pathogens in the case of neural infection (2).
Why Is Lumbar Puncture Done?
Lumbar puncture or spinal tap is recommended when the doctor suspects a nervous system disorder, infection, or cancer (3). The fluid can be tested externally for anomalies or the presence of diseases. Sometimes, it could be the only way to determine the presence of certain infections. Following are scenarios where the spinal tap is recommended over general diagnostic procedures: There are certainly other scenarios where a doctor may perform a lumbar puncture to inject a substance rather than extract fluids: In some cases, the doctor may inject a needle to measure the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid, using a medical device called a manometer. High cerebrospinal fluid pressure is a critical indicator of some diseases, such as meningitis (12). While the procedure is important, it may have some side-effects too.
Side-effects Of Lumbar Puncture
The side-effects of lumbar puncture may show up within hours of the procedure and last for a few days. They fade away as the injection site heals. Following are the lumbar puncture side-effects in babies: These complications seldom happen, but you should still be vigilant about the appearance of any serious aggravation. Also, it is wise to have some information regarding the procedure so that you could stay prepared.
What Is The Procedure For Lumbar Puncture In Babies?
A spinal tap is conducted at the neurologist or pediatrician’s clinic, which should be well-equipped for the procedure. The process involves a series of steps:
1. Discussion with parents
The doctor explains the process and significance. He will also discuss the apprehensions over the procedure and assuage any concerns. Parents play a vital role in deciding the use of sedation. Lumbar puncture is performed using local anesthesia, where the spot of injection stays numb, while the baby is alert. The doctor may even choose to give an intravenous sedative, which will make the infant drowsy. The type of sedative would depend on the age and health of the infant as well as the preference of the parents.
2. The lumbar puncture procedure
On the day of the test, here is what the doctor does:
The baby is made to lie on the side with their feet curled up and their arms in the front. The nurse or a parent can help the baby stay put in this position. The doctor will feel the spine of the baby to determine a gap in the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The for a lumbar puncture is between L3 and L4 or between L4 and L5 vertebra (13).
Once the spot is determined, the doctor will rub it with a disinfectant solution, apply a cold gel on the area to partially numb the nerve endings.
The next step is to insert the lumbar puncture needle. The doctor determines the length of the lumbar puncture needle after considering the baby’s height, age, and referring to the contemporary medical formulas (14). The needle is inserted into the lower back until it enters the subarachnoid space, which contains the cerebrospinal fluid.
The puncture needle is hollow and has another needle within called a stylet. After the puncture, the stylet is gently withdrawn, drawing out the clear cerebrospinal fluid, and collecting it in test tubes. The fluid drips slowly, and it takes two to five minutes to complete the collection.
The tapping needle is slowly retracted, and a sterile bandage is placed on the injection site.
Once the injection site is dressed, your baby can slowly move to the back and lie down the usual way. The entire procedure of pediatric lumbar puncture takes about 30 minutes (15). Test results can be shared within hours or days, depending on the objective of spinal tapping. After the procedure, though, comes the crucial post-procedural care.
What Care Is Needed After Lumbar Puncture?
You need to take good care of the baby so that they can recover in the shortest time. Here are some points to remember after a lumbar puncture for an infant: If the baby is younger than six months, then breast milk is the only source of fluids. Spinal tap in babies does not have any long-term repercussions, and your baby can lead a normal life immediately after the procedure. Proper care is all that is needed for a speedy recovery. However, the process is not completely free of side-effects, and your baby could experience these symptoms right after the process. There are some symptoms, which warrant immediate medical attention.
When To Call A Doctor?
If you notice any of the following symptoms or conditions, then rush your baby to the doctor: Take the baby to the doctor if you see any of these red flags to prevent the situation from getting out of control.
Lumbar Puncture Is Still Very Useful
While many parents are unsure about the viability of an invasive test, such as a lumbar puncture to detect the presence of an infection, research has shown that spinal tap is the best way to confirm the presence of several diseases. It is safe and precise enough to be conducted on premature babies as well (16). The benefits of lumbar puncture surely outweigh the risks, thus making it an effective way of diagnosing life-threatening diseases in the baby.
A feeling of coldness or wetness on their back when it is cleaned A pricking sensation when the numbing medicine is injected Pressure and a little pain when the hollow needle goes in
However, do not worry about your baby, as the team will ensure they stay comfortable during the procedure.
