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Result 97 questionnaires were sent. Response rate was 50%. 54% were from general Paediatric consultants, 30% from Neonatologist, 4% from Neurologist and 12% were unmentioned.56% will do lumbar puncture (LP) in well looking child with CRP >20. 35% will make decision of LP with clinical assessment of the neonates alone. In case of Clinical condition and elevated CRP, 33% will always do LP as compared to 50% who sometimes do LP and look for other blood markers. In case of positive blood culture and ± positive blood PCR 56% will do the LP in stable neonates. According to survey 75% of the LP decisions were made by clinicians without considering any international guidelines. Conclusion The decision to perform a lumbar puncture in neonate with suspected EONM remains unclear. In the high risk & healthy appearing babies, the data suggest that likelihood of meningitis is extremely low. Most clinicians employ CRP as a complementary indicator to clinical decision rather than sole determinant of lumbar puncture in otherwise well babies. However many clinicians do use it sometimes to gear the decision. Absolute solution can only be yielded after outcome of lumbar puncture justifies the role of CRP, Guidelines through national consensus & neonatal clinical advisory group are recommended.

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