reference values for CSF constituents

Reference interval

for lumbar CSF

analyte	%	value	plasma/CSF ratio
protein	-	15-24 mg/dL (total)	-
- prealbumin	2-7%	(17.3 mg/L)	14
- albumin	56-76%	(155 mg/L)	260
- alpha-1 globulin	2-7%	-	-
- alpha-2 globulin	4-12%	-	-
- ceruloplasmin	-	(1.0 mg/L)	370
- alpha-2 macroglobulin	-	(2.0 mg/L)	1100
- beta globulin	8-18%	-	-
- transferrin	-	(14.4 mg/L)	140
- fibrinogen	-	(0.6 mg/L)	4900
- beta-lipoprotein	-	(0.6 mg/L)	6200
- gamma globulin	3-12%	-	-
- IgG	-	(12.3 mg/L)	800
- IgA	-	(1.3 mg/L)	1300
- IgM	-	(0.6 mg/L)	1200

* % of CSF protein

mean CSF protein in infants:

• 1st month of life: 75 mg/dL
• 2nd month of life: 59 mg/dL
• 3rd month of life: 39 mg/dL

Reference values: for lumbar CSF (cont)

electrolyte	value
- Na+	135-150 meq/L
- K+	2.6-3.0 meq/L
- Cl-	115-130 meq/L
- HCO3-	20-25 meq/L
- Ca+2	2.0-2.8 meq/L (1.0-1.4 mmol/L)
- Mg+2	2.4-3.0 meq/L (1.2-1.5 mmol/L)
- lactate	10-22 mg/dL (1.1-2.4 mmol/L)

Reference values: for CSF (cont)

analyte	value
osmolality	280-300 mOsm/L
pH	7.28-7.32 (lumbar)
pH	7.32-7.34 (cisternal)
pCO2	44-50 mm Hg (lumbar)
pCO2	40-46 mm Hg (cisternal
pO2	40-44 mm Hg

Reference values: for other CSF analytes

analyte	value	SI units
* NH3	10-35 ug/dL	(6-20 umol/L)
* glutamine	5-20 mg/dL	(0.3-1.4 mmol/L)
* creatinine	0.6-1.2 mg/dL	(45-92 umol/L)
* glucose	50-80 mg/dL	(2.8-4.4 mmol/L)
* Fe+2/Fe+3	1-2 ug/dL	(0.2-0.4 umol/L)
* Zn+2	2-6 ug/dL	(0.3-0.9 umol/L)
* phosphorous	1.2-2.0 mg/dL	(0.4-0.7 mmol/L)
* urea	6-16 mg/dL	(2.0-5.7 mmol/L)
* urate	0.5-3.0 mg/dL	(30-180 umol/L)
* total lipid	1-2 mg/dL	-

electrolyte	value
- Na+	135-150 meq/L
- K+	2.6-3.0 meq/L
- Cl-	115-130 meq/L
- HCO3-	20-25 meq/L
- Ca+2	2.0-2.8 meq/L (1.0-1.4 mmol/L)
- Mg+2	2.4-3.0 meq/L (1.2-1.5 mmol/L)
- lactate	10-22 mg/dL (1.1-2.4 mmol/L)

Reference values: for CSF (cont)

analyte	value
osmolality	280-300 mOsm/L
pH	7.28-7.32 (lumbar)
pH	7.32-7.34 (cisternal)
pCO2	44-50 mm Hg (lumbar)
pCO2	40-46 mm Hg (cisternal
pO2	40-44 mm Hg

Reference values: for other CSF analytes

analyte	value	SI units
* NH3	10-35 ug/dL	(6-20 umol/L)
* glutamine	5-20 mg/dL	(0.3-1.4 mmol/L)
* creatinine	0.6-1.2 mg/dL	(45-92 umol/L)
* glucose	50-80 mg/dL	(2.8-4.4 mmol/L)
* Fe+2/Fe+3	1-2 ug/dL	(0.2-0.4 umol/L)
* Zn+2	2-6 ug/dL	(0.3-0.9 umol/L)
* phosphorous	1.2-2.0 mg/dL	(0.4-0.7 mmol/L)
* urea	6-16 mg/dL	(2.0-5.7 mmol/L)
* urate	0.5-3.0 mg/dL	(30-180 umol/L)
* total lipid	1-2 mg/dL	-