What are some warning signs
of kernicterus?
A bilirubin level of more than 425 μmol / L was chosen to define severe hyperbilirubinemia since an infant with this degree of jaundice is thought to be at high risk
of kernicterus.6 Furthermore, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends considering an exchange transfusion at this level in healthy term infants without risk factors.20
With monitoring and treatment, the risk
of kernicterus or other complications drops to almost none.
Consider, too, that breastfeeding is now the leading cause
of kernicterus (jaundice induced brain damage) responsible for 90 % of the cases of this serious complication that often results in long term disability or even death.
Not exact matches
If your baby seems weak or «floppy», followed sometimes by rigidity and arching
of the back, it may indicate that
kernicterus is starting to occur.
I had never heard
of this, but according to WebMD,
kernicterus «is a very rare type
of brain damage that occurs in a newborn with severe jaundice.»
There are no studies to suggest that the mildly increased levels
of bili has any negative impact on neonatal health (ie
kernicterus, severe jaundice).
Most cases
of jaundice don't require treatment, but if it goes on too long, complications can occur and it can lead to
kernicterus.
The goal
of treatment is to lower the bilirubin level to prevent the buildup
of toxic levels in the baby's brain (a disease called
kernicterus).
Those at the lecture that accompanied these slides heard me make the point that inadequate caloric intake during the newborn period contributes to the risk
of developing
kernicterus, but is rarely the sole cause
of excessive hyperbilirubinemia and
kernicterus.
We have uncovered a lecture provided to lactation consultants at a prominent breastfeeding conference given by Baby - Friendly USA Chief Medical Consultant, Dr. Lawrence Gartner, who discussed the risk
of brain injury from starvation - related jaundice, called
kernicterus, 90 %
of which occurs to breastfed babies who lose excessive weight, according to his lecture.
In rare cases, levels
of bilirubin can become dangerously high and lead to a complication called
kernicterus.
G6PD deficiency has been associated with an increased risk
of hemolysis, hyperbilirubinemia, and
kernicterus.209 Mothers who breastfeed infants with known or suspected G6PD deficiency should not ingest fava beans or medications such as nitrofurantoin, primaquine phosphate, or phenazopyridine hydrochloride, which are known to induce hemolysis in deficient individuals.210, 211
The leading cause
of jaundice induced brain damage (
kernicterus) is breastfeeding and breastfeeding doubles the risk
of neonatal hospital admission leading to literally tens
of thousands
of hospital admissions per year.
A very small percentage
of jaundiced newborns develop a condition called
kernicterus, which can result in deafness, delayed development, or a form
of cerebral palsy.
For example, the FDA recently approved new labeling information for trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (Septra ®), emphasizing the need for caution in administering this drug to nursing women, particularly if the infant is jaundiced, ill, stressed, or premature, because
of the potential risk for bilirubin displacement and
kernicterus.
In addition to losing her husband to a delayed cancer diagnosis, her son, Cal, now 13, was the victim
of lack
of treatment for too - high bilirubin levels as a newborn, which resulted in
kernicterus, or brain damage from severe jaundice.
If left untreated for too long, jaundice can spread from the bloodstream to the brain, causing a form
of brain damage called
kernicterus.
We have a record
of accomplishment in handling
kernicterus cases, including winning one
of Massachusetts» largest
kernicterus medical malpractice jury awards.