The Cerebrospinal Fluid in Immature Infants

Summary The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 36 healthy immature infants was examined with regard to cell count and content of protein and bilirubin. The cell count was high, falling with increasing age. The individual variations were very great, and counts as high as 112/3 mm3 were recorded during the first days of life. There was no difference in this respect between small and large immature infants. The CSF protein level was highest in the smallest infants (maximum 292 mg/100 ml). No correlation could be demonstrated between the bilirubin levels in serum and CSF, or between the general condition of the infant and the serum bilirubin level. A high CSF redcell count was frequently recorded, although there were no signs of (cerebral) haemorrhage.