Kernicterus is a neurological condition that happens to a newborn with severe jaundice. It involves a high level of bilirubin, a substance created from the breakdown by the liver of old red blood cells that leaves the blood and builds up in the brain tissues.  When the bilirubin enters the brain tissues, it causes permanent brain damage to the infant.

When bilirubin levels become elevated in a newborn baby, jaundice can develop.  Jaundice is the yellowish color that can be seen on the baby’s skin. Although many babies develop jaundice or the yellow coloring of the skin, most of the time this condition goes away by itself within a few days.  Jaundice can also be a sign of a blood disorder or liver disease.  If a significant amount of bilirubin is allowed to accumulate or what is called hyperbilirubinemia, if not treated can lead to serious and permanent brain damage, which is known as kernicterus.  It can also lead to hearing loss or deafness, physical problems, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, damage to the muscles which control eye movement, or death.

Kernicterus can be prevented!  This is important for any parent of a child with kernicterus to understand.  Doctors can treat severe jaundice with phototherapy or if necessary a blood transfusion which will lower the bilirubin levels.  Phototherapy will be used for a few days until the baby’s liver is mature enough to dispose of the bilirubin by itself.  Phototherapy or light treatment involves using light to eliminate the bilirubin in the baby’s blood.  The baby’s skin and blood will absorb the light waves from phototherapy and convert the bilirubin into products which can more easily pass through the baby’s system.

Kernicterus symptoms:

  • Your baby is very sleepy and lethargic
  • Your baby does not wake up easily.  Once your baby is awake, he or she can’t stay awake
  • Your baby has a high pitched cry that sounds abnormal
  • Your baby does not respond to touching
  • Your baby has an arched bow-like back and the neck is hyper extended backwards
  • Your baby has a fever or suffers from seizures
It is very important that parents and medical professionals pay close attention to hyperbilirubinemia and severe jaundice in order to prevent this from developing into kernicterus.  If kernicterus has begun the damage to the brain of the baby has already occurred, and parents need to seek treatment immediately to help prevent additional brain damage from occurring.  As the child gets older, treatments are available to help better cope with the condition including physical therapy, speech therapy, and special education.

If your baby has kernicterus, you should contact Dr. Bruce Fagel for a free consultation at (800) 541-9376.  You can also view Kernicterus Video for an informative video featuring Dr. Fagel.

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