Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord.
It has several functions:
The symptoms of a problem with the cerebrospinal fluid depend on the underlying cause. Many of the symptoms of problems with CSF are similar to symptoms of other conditions. Some possible symptoms include:
Newborns can have several conditions which present as problems with the cerebrospinal fluid. Some examples include:
Some risk factors for problems with the cerebrospinal fluid include:
Problems or infections of the cerebrospinal fluid are uncommon. Thus, it is likely that the doctor will request a blood sample and imaging first. Once doctors have determined that a problem with cerebrospinal fluid is the most likely cause of the baby’s symptoms, they will request a sample of CSF for analysis.
To get the sample, a lumbar puncture is performed. In this procedure, the baby is placed in a curled-up position and a member of the healthcare team holds them there. Then the skin along the lower spine is cleaned. A needle is then inserted between the vertebrae (bones in the spine) to collect a sample of the fluid. The procedure can take up to an hour.
Once the sample is collected, it is sent to the lab for analysis.
Treatment depends on the cause of the CSF problem.
Possible treatments include:
Complications of problems with the cerebrospinal fluid depend on the severity of the cause. Some possible complications include:
It is not always possible to prevent problems with the cerebrospinal fluid.
A pregnant woman can help her child be as healthy as possible by:
The answer to treating this condition is early diagnosis in order to start immediate treatment.