Kernicterus and Jaundice In New Borns

Roughly sixty percent of all newborns will get jaundice. If the jaundice is severe and isn’t promptly treated, toxic levels of bilirubin in the infant’s brain can lead to kernicterus, a severe form of brain damage. Bilirubin is the yellow-orange byproduct formed in the liver while breaking down old red blood cells. It’s the reason that the skin and eyes of people with jaundice turn yellow. Kernicterus not only damages brain cells but also can cause additional symptoms like respiratory distress and muscle spasms.

Without early detection and proper treatment, kernicterus can lead to severe illness, long-term harm, and even death. Before kernicterus can happen, though, jaundice symptoms will begin showing on the baby’s face, giving their skin a noticeably yellowish tint. As bilirubin levels increase, the yellowing moves to their chest, arms, legs, belly, and even the whites of their eyes. Other signs and symptoms of jaundice include problems with breast or bottle feeding, extreme fussiness, trouble sleeping or waking up, and surprisingly few wet and dirty diapers. Fortunately, most cases of infant jaundice are mild and resolve within a week or so.

However, in eight to nine percent of cases, the infant develops severe jaundice and needs immediate medical attention to avoid developing kernicterus. Severe jaundice symptoms include trouble sleeping, high-pitched inconsolable crying, lack of energy, fever, reduced muscle tone and muscle spasms, and unusual eye movements. If you note these symptoms in your baby, seek emergency medical attention because kernicterus can permanently damage brain cells. Children might develop new symptoms even years after treatment: convulsions or seizures, writhing and muscle spasms, unusual motor development and movement, stains on teeth enamel, sensory challenges primarily in hearing, inability to gaze upwards, and difficulty speaking. These symptoms can be permanent and create lifelong disabilities. While any baby can be at risk of jaundice, several factors and conditions can dramatically increase the risk of developing kernicterus.

As strange as it may seem, in some cases the mother and baby have incompatible blood types. For example, a mother may be Rh-negative and her baby Rh-positive. When this happens, which is rare, it’s known as Rh incompatibility. In such a case, if some of the red blood cells from the fetus cross the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream, the mother’s immune system will perceive the foreign cells as a threat and develop antibodies to combat them. If these antibodies go back through the placenta, they’ll begin attacking the baby’s red blood cells. As a result, the baby’s bilirubin levels rise and can build up in their bloodstream after birth. Fortunately, this disease is rare. Since our age, it can now be treated during pregnancy.

Crigler-Najjar syndrome is another risk factor. It’s a hereditary condition that leaves babies without a necessary enzyme, leading to a bilirubin buildup. Premature babies, born prematurely at eight and a half months or earlier, have an increased risk of jaundice because they don’t have a fully developed liver yet and can’t get rid of high levels of bilirubin. Feeding problems, especially during the first few days, can put babies at a higher risk of jaundice. If any of your other children had jaundice when they were infants, your new infant is more likely to get jaundice as well. Babies with darker skin may be at greater risk because it’s not as easy to notice if their skin becomes yellowish. The best places to check them for jaundice are the inner lips and gums. During birth, the baby can be bruised.

As the bruises heal, their bilirubin levels can rise, causing the baby to become jaundiced. Kernicterus is a preventable condition. Ideally, no child should ever develop it. However, once kernicterus is identified, there are treatments that help prevent further brain damage by quickly reducing the levels of bilirubin. The first method of treatment is to make sure the infant gets adequate nutrition, either with breast milk or formula. Then phototherapy treatment breaks down bilirubin by exposing the baby’s skin to a special blue light.

If the baby’s jaundice has developed into kernicterus, doctors can speed up their treatment by using several lights until bilirubin reaches safe levels. Phototherapy usually takes a day or two. Since jaundice is common in children, doctors and nurses should check frequently for signs and actively monitor bilirubin levels. If any symptoms are present, failing to prevent kernicterus can qualify as medical negligence. Kernicterus complications can have a significant impact on your child’s quality of life.

Fortunately, children can often improve significantly with early and expert intervention. However, these costs can be a financial burden. If your child developed kernicterus as the result of medical negligence, the Birth Injury Center may be able to assist you. The lawyers at Birth Injury Center can help you seek compensation so you can focus on what matters most: the health and well-being of your child. You can learn more about causes, treatments, family forums, parent support groups, and more at Birth Injury Center dot org.

The Birth Injury Center is here to aid you, offering consultations and abundant resources for your own peace of mind. Please visit BirthingCenter.org.