Comparative analysis reveals distinct metal and inflammatory cytokine profiles in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with neurological disorders

Introduction The adverse effect of metals and metalloids on neural development is a significant health concern, especially in vulnerable populations, such as pediatric patients. Excessive accumulation of these elements in the developing central nervous system (CNS) can induce oxidative stress, trigger cell death, and promote neuroinflammation. However, few studies have quantified metal and metalloid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in pediatric patients, and, to our knowledge, none have compared these levels between children with and without neurological disorders. Methods In this exploratory study, we compared pediatric patients with neurological diseases or CNS infections to control pediatric patients to assess differences in metal and metalloid concentrations and in CSF inflammatory cytokine profiles. Results We observed higher levels of most metals and metalloids in neurological and infection patients, while group-specific differences were observed in cytokines. Notably, the cytokines Pentraxin-3 and IL-8 showed positive correlations with calcium, copper, iron, antimony, and chromium, suggesting a possible functional relationship in neuroinflammation. Discussion In conclusion, this study presents a comparative analysis of CSF metal and metalloid levels in conjunction with inflammatory cytokine profiles in a pediatric population, providing a basis for further research into their roles in neuroinflammation and neurological disease.