Kernicterus
What is kernicterus?
Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that causes athetoid cerebral
palsy and hearing loss. It also causes problems with vision and teeth
and sometimes can cause mental retardation. In some newborn babies, the
liver makes too much yellow pigment called bilirubin. When too much
bilirubin builds up in a new baby's body, the skin and whites of the
eyes turn yellow. This yellow coloring is called jaundice. Jaundice is
very common in newborn babies and usually goes away by itself. A little
jaundice is not a problem, but a few babies have too much jaundice. If
not treated, high levels of bilirubin can damage the brain.
Who can develop kernicterus?
Any baby with untreated jaundice is at risk for kernicterus. This
does not mean that every baby with yellow skin will have brain damage.
Most babies with jaundice get better by themselves. If their skin is
very yellow, they might need phototherapy treatment. If phototherapy
does not lower the baby's bilirubin levels, the baby may need an
exchange transfusion.
Does jaundice always cause a problem?/a>
Many babies have some jaundice
. When they are a few days old,
their skin slowly begins to turn yellow. The yellow color comes from the
color of bilirubin. When red blood cells die, they break down and
bilirubin is left. It is normal for some of the red blood cells to die
everyday. The red blood cells break down and make bilirubin. In
newborns, the liver may not be developed enough to get rid of so much
bilirubin at once. So, if too many red blood cells die at the same time,
the baby can become very yellow or may even look orange. The yellow
color does not hurt the baby's skin, but the bilirubin goes to the brain
as well as to the skin. That can lead to brain damage.
Next: Are some babies more likely to be jaundiced? »
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