How to do a neonatal Lumbar Puncture

[@BentleyJax-River]

Thank you so much Dr Mellick for another informative video. Poor babies…my heart goes out to them but the doctors did a great job!

[@lmellick]

Thanks!

[@omar9908]

Excellent, simple and well informative video, thank you Dr. Larry.

[@lmellick]

You are very welcome!

[@franksavage8031]

Thanks for the lesson, Dr. Larry.

[@lmellick]

You are quite welcome!

[@jankirschke7425]

Poor little baby. I don’t understand why this procedure would ever be done without anesthesia.

[@OGnella]

Did you even watch the video

[@jankirschke7425]

See 1:42

[@OGnella]

@@jankirschke7425mm makes a lot more sense now. Referring to those that don’t and not this video in particular. My bad. I DO agree, with your comment

[@lmellick]

Yes, there is a mindset that infants don't need anesthesia. I think the common argument is why do two sticks, one for anesthesia with lidocaine (that does hurt for a short time), and the needle for the spinal tap. However, the evidence is strong that you get more cooperation and more success with the procedure if you use anesthesia.

[@jankirschke7425]

@@lmellick Thank you. I can see how you could get more cooperation with a baby who is in less pain.

[@themechanicalentry8353]

As a general practioner, I can tell you, the answer to how to perform a lumbar puncture in a newborn is simply don't. Call someone else or scream til someone arrives to help.

[@urownpersonalstalker]

Why? What do you mean

[@themechanicalentry8353]

@@urownpersonalstalker It's a specialist's job.

[@northernsoutherngirl]

But WHY is this procedure needed? 🤷🏾‍♀️Asking for those of us who have no experience in the medical field.

[@dormic123]

The most common reason is a suspected infection of the central nervous system. The brain and spine are normally shielded from both bacteria and the immune system (the brain has it's own immune cells, but these aren't primarily for bacteria). If bacteria enter the nervous system of a neonate, it results in a life-threatening infection; it can be fatal within hours in the worst case. To figure out which bacteria (or if there even are bacteria) and whether they have any antibiotic resistances, a sample of the bacteria themselves is needed to grow in a petri dish or growth solution.

[@bravohomie]

​@@dormic123ty