[Characteristics of the spinal fluid in the neonatal stage]

The characteristics of the cytochemistry of the spinal fluid (LCR) were evaluated in 123 newborns that were divided into four groups according to their postnatal age. Following this, proteins were 103.25 +/- 49.05; 85.09 +/- 41.89; 66.31 +/- 43.44 and 55.38 +/- 20.91 mg/100 ml. respectively for the 10, 20, 30 and 50 days of life groups, with significant differenece (p less than 0.01) of the first group with the third and fourth. Values for glucose fluctuated form 53.56 +/- 20.32 mg/100 ml. to 63.16 +/- 22.80 for the different groups, but without statistical difference among them. A similar situation was found with the number of cells that fluctuated as an average form 4.28 to 7.38 mm3. Finally, the results from other work groups are reported showing similar outcome as ours.