Question
The baby suddenly couldn’t walk, and after four days in the hospital, the cause was still unknown. The doctor suggested an electromyography test, but since the baby was too young to cooperate, it was considered to detect the cause by extracting cerebrospinal fluid. The parents are worried whether this test will make the baby dumb.
Answer
A lumbar puncture to extract cerebrospinal fluid is a common and safe method for diagnosing brain diseases, and it does not affect the child’s intelligence. Cerebrospinal fluid is constantly produced, so even if a small amount is extracted for testing, it will not harm the baby’s health. Therefore, performing a cerebrospinal fluid examination is to determine the cause and lay the foundation for treatment.