Objective: To define age-specific reference values for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total protein levels for children and validate these values in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Reference values for CSF total protein levels were determined in an extensive cohort of diagnostic samples from children (<18 year) evaluated at Erasmus Medical Center/Sophia Children's Hospital. These reference values were confirmed in children diagnosed with disorders unrelated to raised CSF total protein level and validated in children with GBS, ADEM and MS. Results: The test results of 6145 diagnostic CSF samples from 3623 children were used to define reference values. The reference values based on the upper limit of the 95% CI (i.e. upper limit of normal) were for 6 months-2 years 0.25 g/L, 2-6 years 0.25 g/L, 6-12 years 0.28 g/L, 12-18 years 0.34 g/L. These reference values were confirmed in a subgroup of 378 children diagnosed with disorders that are not typically associated with increased CSF total protein. In addition, the CSF total protein levels in these children in the first 6 months after birth were highly variable (median 0.47 g/L, IQR 0.26-0.65). According to these new reference values, CSF total protein level was elevated in 85% of children with GBS, 66% with ADEM and 23% with MS. Conclusion: More accurate age-specific reference values for CSF total protein levels in children were determined. These new reference values are more sensitive than currently used values for diagnosing GBS and ADEM in children.

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doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2017.03.006, hdl.handle.net/1765/99555
European Journal of Paediatric Neurology
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Kahlmann, V., Roodbol, J., van Leeuwen, N., Ramakers, C. R. B., van Pelt - Gravesteijn, D., Neuteboom, R., … Jacobs, B. (2017). Validated age-specific reference values for CSF total protein levels in children. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 21(4), 654–660. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2017.03.006