Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterised by disturbed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrodynamics of unknown aetiology.1 Diagnosis requires evidence of an elevated CSF pressure above 20–25 cm H₂O during lumbar puncture (LP).1 However, no consensus exists concerning what constitutes the upper limit of normal CSF pressure for different age groups. Therefore, current criteria may inappropriately exclude some children from the diagnosis of IIH and delay the start of treatment.

We prospectively followed 25 children with suspected IIH who were referred to our hospital since 2004. LP with measurement of CSF opening pressure was performed with patients in the lateral decubitus position. In non-cooperative children, moderately deep propofol sedation was used. For a diagnosis of IIH, Friedman criteria had to be completely satisfied.1

In our cohort, three boys (aged 5 years and 4 months, 7 years and 1 month, and 10 years and …