Kernicterus is a complication of neonatal jaundice that causes damage to the newborn's brain, when excess bilirubin is not treated properly.
Bilirubin is a substance that is produced by the natural destruction of red blood cells and its excess is eliminated by the liver in the production of bile. However, as many babies are born with the liver still poorly developed, bilirubin ends up accumulating in the blood, giving rise to a neonatal jaundice that causes symptoms such as yellowish skin color.
In order to prevent this substance from continuing to accumulate and prevent the development of kernicterus, the pediatrician recommends treating it with a type of special lights, as soon as the diagnosis of jaundice is confirmed, allowing to eliminate excess bilirubin from the baby's body.
Main symptoms
Symptoms that may indicate that the baby is at increased risk of developing kernicterus are:
- Yellow skin and eyes; Difficulty breastfeeding; Urine too dark; Light stools.
These symptoms do not indicate that the baby has kernicterus, it is only an indication that he may have neonatal jaundice, which is when there is excess bilirubin in the body. The kernicterus will only develop if the treatment is not done and the bilirubin continues to accumulate, until it reaches the brain and causes injuries that can cause paralysis or deafness, for example.
How the treatment is done
The best way to reduce the levels of bilirubin in the blood and prevent kernicterus from arising or continuing to develop is to place the baby in a bed with special lights. This technique is known as phototherapy and allows bilirubin to be destroyed and eliminated more easily from the body.
However, when bilirubin levels are too high or kernicterus is causing brain damage, your doctor may also advise you to have a blood transfusion to replace your baby's blood.
Possible sequelae
When bilirubin levels are elevated for a long time in the blood, bilirubin can reach the brain, causing injuries that can lead to sequelae such as:
- Cerebral palsy; Deafness; Vision problems; Intellectual development difficulties.
These sequelae may vary according to the severity of the injuries and the areas of the brain affected.
