A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a medical test that involves collecting a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for examination. Cerebrospinal fluid (also called spinal fluid) is a liquid that helps "cushion" the brain and spinal cord.

Your child had a spinal tap and is now ready to go home. The healthcare provider may have given your child medicine so they could relax during the procedure, so they may be a little sleepy. Your child may have a mild headache or feel some discomfort on their back where the spinal tap was done. These symptoms should go away within a few hours of the spinal tap.

• Allow your child to rest as much as needed.
• If your child has a mild headache or back pain and your healthcare provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old. Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.
• Don't give aspirin to your child. It can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.
• Follow up as instructed by your healthcare provider.

Your child:

• Is getting more irritable (fussy)
• Has a headache or back pain that lasts more than a few hours after the spinal tap or that seems to be getting worse
• Develops new symptoms, such as a fever, vomiting, or pain in the legs

Your child:

• Has redness, swelling, pain, or bleeding on the back where the spinal tap was done
• Has numbness or weakness in the legs or has trouble walking

Why do healthcare providers do a spinal tap? Healthcare providers do a spinal tap to:

• Look for an infection (called meningitis) of the covering around the brain and spinal cord 
• Test for bleeding in the brain
• Lower pressure in the brain
• Give medicine 
• Put dye into the cerebrospinal fluid for certain tests