Factors affecting parental refusal of lumbar puncture in Iraqi children in COVID-19 era: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the frequency and causes of parental lumbar puncture refusal for their children.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Central Child Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from October 1, 2021, to April 1, 2022, and comprised children aged at least >1 month at the emergency department who had been advised to undergo lumbar puncture. Data from the mother of the child was collected using an interviewbased questionnaire, exploring.