EC Paediatrics

Background: Lumbar puncture (LP) is a procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosing neurological conditions, including meningitis and multiple sclerosis. Globally, acceptance of LP varies, with parental refusal rates influenced by cultural beliefs, fear of complications, and lack of awareness. In Saudi Arabia, concerns such as fear of paralysis and misinformation significantly impact consent, although understanding the procedure's benefits improves acceptance rates.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study, conducted in Jeddah. Data were collected from 494 parents via an online survey, with inclusion criteria focusing on parents of children under 14 who could communicate in Arabic or English. Ethical approval was obtained, and statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify factors influencing LP knowledge.

Results: Among 494 parents, most were mothers (66.2%), Saudi nationals (87.7%), and bachelor's degree holders (54.7%). The mean knowledge score was 5 out of 7, with high awareness of lumbar puncture safety and purpose but gaps in understanding anesthesia use (56.3%) and recovery time (62.1%). While 52.9% agreed on the procedure's necessity, concerns about pain (68.2%) and complications (70.4%) were prevalent. Trust in physicians was high (77.8%), but 64.8% were likely to seek second opinions. Refusal was mainly driven by fears of complications (67.2%), pain (56.1%), and insufficient procedural explanations (35.4%). Mothers, individuals aged 36-45, and parents with higher education demonstrated significantly better knowledge.

Conclusion: This study revealed generally good parental understanding of lumbar puncture (LP) in pediatric care but highlighted concerns about pain, complications, and recovery. Higher education and maternal status were linked to better knowledge.

 Keywords: Lumbar Puncture; Pediatric Care; Parents Perception; Parents Attitude

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