Kernicterus
Alternative Names
Bilirubin encephalopathy
Symptoms
The symptoms depend on the stage of kernicterus.
Early stage:
- Extreme jaundice
- Absent startle reflex
- Poor breast-feeding or sucking
- Extreme sleepiness (lethargy)
Mid stage:
- High-pitched cry
- Arched back with neck hyperextended backwards
- Bulging fontanel (soft spot)
- Seizures
Late stage (full neurological syndrome):
- High-frequency hearing loss
- Mental retardation
- Muscle rigidity
- Speech difficulties
- Seizures
- Movement disorder
Exams and Tests
A blood test will show a high bilirubin level (greater than 20-25 mg/dL).
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics, Subcommittee on Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: Neonatal jaundice and kernicterus. Pediatrics. 2001;108:763.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2004;114: 297-316.
Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.
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