Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that can occur in newborns when neonatal jaundice is not treated correctly, arising as a consequence of high levels of bilirubin in the baby’s blood and causing complications, such as cerebral palsy and/or hearing loss, for example. example.
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 a poorly developed liver, bilirubin ends up accumulating in the blood, giving rise to neonatal jaundice. Learn more about neonatal jaundice.
To prevent this substance from continuing to accumulate and prevent the development of kernicterus, the pediatrician recommends treatment with a type of special light, as soon as the diagnosis of jaundice is confirmed, allowing excess bilirubin to be eliminated from the baby’s body.
Symptoms of kernicterus
The main symptoms of kernicterus are:
- Yellowish or orange coloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes;
- Difficulty breastfeeding;
- Irritability;
- Difficulty waking up;
- Dark yellow urine in small quantities;
- Clear stools.
These symptoms do not indicate that the baby has kernicterus, they are only an indication that they may have neonatal jaundice, which is when there is excess bilirubin in the body. Kernicterus will only develop if treatment is not carried out and bilirubin continues to accumulate, until it reaches the brain and causes injuries that can cause paralysis or deafness, for example.
How the treatment is carried out
The best way to reduce bilirubin levels in the blood and prevent kernicterus from appearing or continuing to develop is to place the baby in beds 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 very high or kernicterus is causing brain damage, the doctor may also advise a blood transfusion to replace the baby’s blood and thus reduce the amount of circulating bilirubin.
When to go to the pediatrician
If the baby has more yellowish skin after hospital discharge, it is important that the pediatrician is consulted so that this symptom can be evaluated, which is done by measuring circulating bilirubin levels, and treatment may be indicated as soon as possible. followed.
However, it is important to go to the emergency room if the baby presents other symptoms such as a more rigid or flaccid body, strange eye movements or arching of the body, for example.
Possible sequels
When bilirubin levels remain high in the blood for a long time and treatment is not started or is not carried out correctly, bilirubin can reach the brain, causing injuries that can generate consequences such as cerebral palsy, deafness, vision problems and difficulties in intellectual development.
Bibliography
- NHS. Newborn jaundice. Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jaundice-newborn/symptoms/>. Accessed on Aug 2, 2022
- CDC. What are Jaundice and Kernicterus?. Disponível em: <https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/jaundice/facts.html#:~:text=Kernicterus%20is%20a%20type%20of,sometimes%20can%20cause%20intellectual%20disabilities.>. Acesso em 02 ago 2022
