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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts for neonates and young infants are usually interpreted on the basis of values reported in reference texts or handbooks; however, current reference texts either present normal CSF parameters without citation or cite studies with significant limitations. The objective of this study was to determine accurate, age-specific reference values for CSF WBC counts in a large population of neonates and young infants.

This cross-sectional study included patients who were aged ≤56 days and had a lumbar puncture performed in the emergency department from January 1, 2005, to June 30, 2007. Patients were excluded from analysis for conditions that are suspected to cause CSF pleocytosis, including traumatic lumbar puncture, serious bacterial infection, congenital infection, seizure, and presence of a ventricular …