Abstract
Objective: To assess the frequency and different factors leading to parental refusal of lumbar puncture in children with febrile convulsions.
Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration: Pediatric Ward of Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad for one year from 1st January, 2017 to 1st January, 2018.
Methodology: Parents of children of both genders with first episode of febrile convulsion from 1 month to 12 years age and planned for lumber puncture were interviewed for their response to lumbar puncture. If parents refused lumbar puncture, then close ended questions were asked regarding fear of paralysis, backache, walking problems, spasticity and death. In addition, parents’ demographic details to assess the correlation with different factors responsible for refusal were also assessed.
Results: Among a total ninety-five children admitted and planned for lumber puncture, 41% parents refused the procedure. The most frequent reason was fear of paralysis (36%) followed by fear of pain (26%), fear of subsequent walking problem (18%), fear of death (15%) and fear of spasticity (5%). Rate of refusal was significantly higher in parents with lower level of education and who had previous knowledge about the procedure (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Poor knowledge of parents about importance of lumbar puncture procedure and its complications lead them to its refusal especially in those who have lower level of education and previous knowledge of this procedure.
Keywords: Children, Febrile convulsions, Febrile seizures, Lumbar puncture, Parent concerns, Refusal to procedure
How to Cite This:
Anwar A, Khan IM, Sherazi SH, Yasmeen N, Waqas Ashfaq MW, Shah A. Analysis of parental refusal of lumbar puncture in children with febrile convulsions. Isra Med J. 2021; 13(1): 20-23.
Imran Mahmood Khan, Arslan Anwar, Sajid Hussain Sherazi, Nuzhat Yasmeen, Muhammad Waqas Ashfaq, Anum Shah . (2021) Analysis of Parental refusal of Lumbar puncture in children with Febrile Convulsions, Isra Medical Journal, Volume 13, Issue 01.
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