HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA FROM MISDIAGNOSED OR MISTREATED JAUNDICE CAN CAUSE KERNICTERUS (BILIRUBIN ENCEPHALOPATHY) & ATHETOID CEREBRAL PALSY

Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood of an infant or newborn baby. When red blood cells break down, a substance called bilirubin is formed. Babies are not easily able to get rid of the bilirubin and it can build up in the blood and other tissues and fluids of the baby's body. This buildup of bilirubin is called hyperbilirubinemia. Because bilirubin has a pigment or coloring, it causes a yellowing of the baby's skin and tissues. This is called jaundice. Jaundice is a condition that causes a pronounced yellow to orange tint to the skin and  to the white part of the eyes as a result of a higher-than-normal amount of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Jaundice occurs in about 60 percent of term newborns and 80 percent of premature babies. Most jaundice is benign, but because of the potential toxicity of bilirubin, newborn infants must be closely monitored to identify those who might develop severe hyperbilirubinemia and, in rare cases, acute bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus. 

 Although kernicterus is almost always preventable, unfortunately new cases continue to occur. If your child has been diagnosed with kernicterus, then call and talk to a Lawyer for a Free Confidential Consultation at 1-800-883-9858 or click here for a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Evaluation Form

Diagnostic procedures for hyperbilirubinemia may include direct and indirect bilirubin levels. These reflect whether the bilirubin is bound with other substances by the liver so that it can be excreted (direct), or is circulating in the blood circulation (indirect). Treatment of hyperbilirubinemia depends on many factors, including the cause of the hyperbilirubinemia and the level of bilirubin. The goal is to keep the level of bilirubin from increasing to dangerous levels. Treatment may include phototherapy, a fiber-optic blanket, blood exchange and cessation of breast feeding. Since bilirubin absorbs light, jaundice and increased bilirubin levels usually decrease when the baby is exposed to special blue spectrum lights. Phototherapy may take several hours to begin working and it is used throughout the day and night. The baby's position is changed to allow all of the skin to be exposed to the light. The baby's eyes must be protected and the temperature monitored during phototherapy. Blood levels of bilirubin are checked to monitor if the phototherapy is working. Another form of phototherapy is a fiber optic blanket placed under the baby. This may be used alone or in combination with regular phototherapy. Exchange transfusion helps increase the red blood cell count and lower the levels of bilirubin. An exchange transfusion is done by alternating giving and withdrawing blood in small amounts through a vein or artery. Exchange transfusions may need to be repeated if the bilirubin levels remain high. Prevention of hyperbilirubinemia is not an exact science. While hyperbilirubinemia cannot be totally prevented, early recognition and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia are important in preventing bilirubin levels from rising to dangerous levels and the development of kernicterus and athetoid cerebral palsy. 

If you suspect ANY signs of jaundice, call your doctor immediately.!!  Don't Guess, the Risks are Too Great. Be on the Safe Side. 

If your child's doctors, the hospital nurses or other healthcare professionals failed to recognize your child's hyperbilirubinemia and as such, failed to adequately and aggressively treat the hyperbilirubinemia so as to prevent kernicterus, bilirubin encephalopathy and/or athetoid cerebral palsy, then you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Find out if your child's injuries were preventable. Call and obtain a Free Confidential Consultation at 1-800-883-9858 or click here for a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Evaluation Form