Cerebrospinal Fluid Immunoglobulin G in Childhood

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured by electroimmunodiffusion (EID) in children aged 1 to 15 years. This method specifically measures IgG and requires only minute amounts of undiluted CSF. In children with nondemyelinative neurologic disorders, mean CSF IgG quotient of protein was 4.6% compared to 7.1% in "normal" adults in the same laboratory, a highly significant difference. In 88% of "controls," CSF IgG was below 6.4%, and in 99%, 8.2% or less. In 88% of children with "demyelinative" diseases, exclusive of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, CSF IgG was 8.3% or higher, but significantly lower than the 14% considered compatible with multiple sclerosis in adults here. It is concluded that in children, the upper limit of normal CSF IgG by EID is 8.2%, higher values suggesting demyelinating processes. Reasons for the differences between the values for children and adults are postulated.