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Kernicterus is a bilirubin-induced brain dysfunction. [1] The term was coined in 1904 by Christian Georg Schmorl.Bilirubin is a naturally occurring substance in the body of humans and many other animals, but it is neurotoxic when its concentration in the blood is too high, a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia.
Infant undergoing bili light therapy in a United States maternity ward. A bili light [1] [2] is a light therapy tool to treat newborn jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia).High levels of bilirubin can cause brain damage (kernicterus), leading to cerebral palsy, auditory neuropathy, gaze abnormalities and dental enamel hypoplasia.
Classification and diagnosis of the underlying disease of hyperbilirubinemia are crucial for prescription of treatment. [6] Physical examination reviews clinical symptoms like degree of jaundice, vital signs and sensations of pain, further followed by urine tests, blood analysis and imaging.
Depending on the level of exposure, the effects range from unnoticeable to severe brain damage and even death. Newborns are especially vulnerable to hyperbilirubinemia-induced neurological damage, so must be carefully monitored for alterations in their serum bilirubin levels. [citation needed]
Gilbert syndrome is a phenotypic effect, mostly associated with increased blood bilirubin levels, but also sometimes characterized by mild jaundice due to increased unconjugated bilirubin, that arises from several different genotypic variants of the gene for the enzyme responsible for changing bilirubin to the conjugated form. [citation needed]
Natus is a leading provider of healthcare products used for the screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common medical ailments in newborn care, hearing impairment ...
Treatment of the condition is specific to the cause of hemolysis, but intense phototherapy and exchange transfusion can be used to help the patient excrete accumulated bilirubin. [11] Complications related to hemolytic jaundice include hyperbilirubinemia and chronic bilirubin encephalopathy, which may be deadly without proper treatment. [12] [13]
Reye syndrome is a rapidly worsening brain disease. [2] Symptoms of Reye syndrome may include vomiting, personality changes, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. [1] While liver toxicity typically occurs in the syndrome, jaundice usually does not. [2]