Kernicterus is a rare but devastating type of brain damage that can occur in a small subset of newborns with severe, untreated jaundice. Jaundice affects approximately 60% of newborns. This happens due to the building up of too much bilirubin in the blood. With some simple treatment, jaundice is managed among babies.
Nonetheless, if there is a high level of bilirubin and the jaundice is left untreated, it develops into a kernicterus condition that damages the brain. Babies with this condition need to be treated immediately.
While mild jaundice is common in newborns and causes a yellowish tint to the skin and eyes, kernicterus is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition resulting from very high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
Its symptoms are more intense and require immediate medical attention. Affected babies may appear extremely sleepy, be difficult to wake, or fall asleep quickly after waking.
Other critical symptoms of kernicterus include:
Seek urgent medical help if your baby shows any of these symptoms.
Kernicterus is a rare but serious condition caused by excessively high levels of bilirubin in the blood of a newborn. This occurs when the immature liver is unable to process and eliminate enough bilirubin, allowing it to accumulate and potentially enter brain tissue, leading to neurological damage.
Some key causes of kernicterus include:
When bilirubin is not excreted effectively through stool, it accumulates in the blood and may cross into the brain, causing severe and irreversible complications if left untreated.
Newborns with kernicterus can face the following complications:
If your baby has a high bilirubin level with certain risk factors, undergoing treatment for kernicterus is essential. Let us explore some key treatment options:
The goal of phototherapy and IVIG is to rapidly lower bilirubin levels to prevent kernicterus from developing. Exchange transfusion is a critical, high-intensity treatment for dangerously high bilirubin levels when phototherapy is not sufficient. Kernicterus itself (the established brain injury) has no cure, and treatment involves long-term supportive care (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, hearing aids, management of dystonia).
Even though kernicterus is a rare condition, it is essential for parents to stay aware of its complications. By gaining a thorough understanding of the symptoms of kernicterus, risk factors, causes, and treatment, you can safeguard your baby's health with utmost care. Moreover, if you detect any symptoms of kernicterus in newborns, consult medical experts immediately.