kernicterus
Pronunciation: ker-NIK-ter-us
Neurological damage caused by severe neonatal jaundice resulting in bilirubin deposition in brain tissue.
Full Definition
Kernicterus is a form of brain damage that occurs in newborns with severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia when bilirubin crosses the blood-brain barrier and deposits in the basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei. This condition primarily affects premature infants and those with hemolytic disease. Clinical manifestations include acute bilirubin encephalopathy with lethargy, poor feeding, and abnormal muscle tone, potentially progressing to chronic sequelae including cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and dental problems. In pediatric pathology reports, kernicterus findings include yellow staining of brain tissue and neuronal loss in affected regions.
Usage
Usage note: Not synonymous with simple jaundice or icterus, which refer to yellowing without brain involvement.
In Context
- "Post-mortem examination revealed kernicterus with characteristic yellow staining of the subthalamic nuclei." — Autopsy report
- "The infant's neurological symptoms were consistent with acute kernicterus secondary to severe hyperbilirubinemia." — Clinical assessment