Farfán-Albarracín Juan David, Ramírez-Sierra Cristina Lorena, Espitia Segura Oscar Mauricio, Bedoya Morales Ana Maritza, Pérez Cárdenas Sofy Helena, Guzmán-Porras Jennifer Julieth, Lopéz Mora Luisa Fernanda, Ramírez Salazar Mateo Humberto, Ceballos Inga Leydi Alexandra, Rueda-Rodríguez María Camila, Téllez Prada Hugo Andrés, Sanchez Rincón Juan David, Castro Rubio Juan Camilo, Lemus Espitia Ingrid, Guevara-Ramos Juan David
Red de Investigaciones Cualitativas y Cuantitativas en Neuropediatría (RICCNeP), Colombia; Unidad de Neuropediatría, HOMI Fundación Hospital Pediátrico La Misericordia, Bogotá, Colombia; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Red de Investigaciones Cualitativas y Cuantitativas en Neuropediatría (RICCNeP), Colombia; Unidad de Neuropediatría, Clínica Infantil Santa María del Lago, Bogotá, Colombia; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
Brain Dev. 2025 Jun;47(3):104347. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104347. Epub 2025 Mar 19.
Opening pressure in lumbar puncture (LP) is an important parameter in the diagnosis of various neurological diseases. In children pressures may vary according to age. This study aimed to analyze the variation of opening pressure in LP according to age in children.
All LPs performed between February 2017 and March 2023 were analyzed. Patients with modifying factors for opening pressure were excluded. Descriptive analysis was conducted, along with a comparison of means and medians, local regression, and quantile regression. To identify the most relevant cutoff points, graphical analyses were employed.
The median opening pressure was 21.0 cm HO, with a 10th percentile (P10) of 10 and a 90th percentile (P90) of 32. An increase in opening pressure with age was found. Graphical analysis revealed a significant cutoff point at 96 months. The median opening pressure from 1 to 96 months of age was 19.2 cm HO, with a P10 of 8 and a P90 of 28.9. For children older than 96 months, the median was 22 cm HO, with a P10 of 11.8 and a P90 of 35.
Opening pressures in children vary with age, with no differences related to sex. Graphical analysis indicates that 96 months of age is an important cutoff point. Above this age, standard values could be used, up to 96 months of age, however, it is necessary to conduct studies for reference values. Opening pressure alone is not sufficient for the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension in children.
