A Brief Review on Kernicterus

Abstract

Kernicterus is a rare neurological condition which occurs when the unconjugated bilirubin levels rises above 25 mg/dL in the blood leading to decreased elimination and increased production of bilirubin. Most commonly, it affects newborns and infants of age three to four years, in that the premature infants are more prone to this condition. Accumulation of toxic levels of bilirubin in blood as well as in brain leads to life threatening complications. However, early diagnosis and management of this condition helps in preventing brain damage and also developmental abnormalities in an infant. In this article, we mainly reviewed about the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and the treatment of kernicterus. It is necessary for the health care team and professionals to detect the early signs of kernicterus by close monitoring of infant at the time of birth to prevent it from getting worsen. However, there are various effective and advanced techniques available to treat the condition as soon as it is diagnosed and thus it is a preventable condition if managed with utmost care.