Iron, transferrin, and ferritin in cerebrospinal fluid of children.

We measured iron, ferritin, and transferrin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pediatric patients. Because the concentrations of iron and iron-binding proteins in CSF in these samples were lower than those ordinarily measured in older subjects, we had to modify the lower limit of detection of the methods used. The concentrations of these three analytes in patients with viral meningitis were higher than those in healthy infants and children.