Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Prevention of neurodevelopmental sequelae of jaundice in the newborn

Thor W R Hansen1

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Women's and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. t.w.r.hansen@medisin.uio.no

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|September 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Preventing kernicterus, a rare neurological disorder in newborns, requires early identification of infants at risk for extreme jaundice. A secondary strategy involves emergency treatment for severely jaundiced infants to reverse bilirubin neurotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Jaundice in newborns is common, but kernicterus, a severe neurological complication, is rare.
  • Current tools for identifying infants at risk of extreme jaundice and bilirubin neurotoxicity are inadequate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review strategies for preventing extreme neonatal jaundice.
  • To outline a secondary plan for emergency treatment of infants with severe jaundice and neurological symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of bilirubin levels in newborns before discharge.
  • Utilizing hour-specific charts to plot bilirubin values.
  • Assessing additional risk factors for jaundice and parental education.
  • Reviewing emergency treatment protocols for severe cases.

Main Results:

  • Early identification and intervention can prevent kernicterus.
  • A multi-faceted approach combining prevention and emergency treatment is crucial.
  • Immediate phototherapy, IV immunoglobulin, and exchange transfusion are key emergency interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Effective prevention of kernicterus relies on early risk assessment and parental education.
  • A secondary strategy for emergency treatment is essential for infants who fail primary prevention.
  • Prompt intervention can mitigate bilirubin neurotoxicity and prevent severe neurological outcomes.

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Rh Blood Group01:19

Rh Blood Group

The Rhesus (Rh) antigen is crucial in determining blood groups and ensuring compatibility during blood transfusions.
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...