What do we know about kernicterus?
Kernicterus, a serious – but preventable – neurological syndrome, can strike otherwise healthy newborns with jaundice or high bilirubin concentrations. It is a lifelong brain syndrome that can include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and hearing loss, caused by severe and untreated elevations of the bilirubin in the newborn. Many newborns develop jaundice and never have a problem. Why the sudden concern? Neonatal jaundice affects over half of all newborns in the US. It usually appears within the first few days of life and may resolve on its own. Without treatment, some infants develop very high levels of bilirubin, which may lead to brain damage or hearing impairment. Kernicterus had become a rare occurrence in the US when babies stayed in the hospital for several days. The jaundice, usually visible within 72 hours, was identified and treated while the infant was still an inpatient. Because most healthy newborns are now released from the hospital within no more that 48 hours of birt
