Qualitative cytology of cerebrospinal fluid as an indicator of neonatal brain damage and psychomotor outcome

• Published in: Acta pædiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 70; no. 2; p. 161
• Main Authors: Dalens, B, Bezou, M J, Raynaud, E J, Coulet, M, Gaulme, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden 01-03-1981
• Subjects: Apgar Score; Birth Injuries - cerebrospinal fluid; Brain Damage, Chronic - cerebrospinal fluid; Cerebrospinal Fluid - cytology; Double-Blind Method; Electroencephalography; Granulocytes; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Monocytes; Prospective Studies; Psychomotor Disorders - cerebrospinal fluid; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0001-656X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1981.tb05535.x

The authors report a double blind study on 57 full-term neonates prospectively subjected to clinical, electroencephalographical, cerebrospinal fluid and developmental examinations. Usual neonatal pleiocytosis depends on histiomonocytic cells which probably are a reflection of constant small brain damage during delivery. Infants suffering neurological sequelae at age one are recognizable as early as the 60th to 84th hours of life in view of persisting high histiomonocytic counts greater than 10 M. elements/l) and granulocytic peaks (greater than 2 M. elements/l) in clear samples. This method is then of interest, despite its invasive nature and limits (traumatic punctures, time-limits).