What is the recommended procedure if meningitis is suspected in a newborn with a fever?

When meningitis is suspected in a newborn with a fever, the recommended procedure is to perform a lumbar puncture. This is critical because it allows healthcare providers to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis, which can help determine if an infection is present and identify the causative organism. Early diagnosis and treatment of meningitis are essential to prevent severe complications and improve outcomes.

Performing a lumbar puncture helps in diagnosing various types of meningitis, such as bacterial or viral, by examining the cell count, protein concentration, glucose level, and potential pathogens in the CSF. In newborns, where the clinical presentation can be subtle, a lumbar puncture becomes an essential tool in guiding treatment decisions.

While blood tests can provide initial information regarding an infection and inflammation, they are not definitive for diagnosing meningitis. A CT scan may be indicated if there are concerns of increased intracranial pressure or other complications that need to be ruled out before proceeding with a lumbar puncture, but it is not the first-line procedure for diagnosis. A chest X-ray is also not useful in diagnosing meningitis directly; it may be utilized to evaluate for other sources of infection but does not provide the necessary information about the central nervous system that a lumbar punct