|
|
Bilirubin encephalopathy, excess bilirubin
|
|
- This is a neurological syndrome caused by deposition of unconjugated bilirubin in the brain cells.
- It is rare in healthy full-term infants.
- It usually occurs several days after birth.
|
|
- Loss of the Moro's (startle) reflex
- Poor feeding
- Lack of energy
- Decreased activity
- A high-pitched shrill cry
- Unusual posturing
- A bulging fontanel
- Seizures
- Decreased muscle tone
- Movement disorders
- High-pitched hearing loss
- Decreased mental ability
|
|
- It is caused by high blood levels of the pigment bilirubin deposited in the brain cells, resulting in damage
- It develops in extremely jaundiced infants, especially those with severe Rh incompatibility.
|
|
- Based on clinical findings
- Elevated serum bilirubin level
|
|
- Premature birth
- Severe hemolytic disease with high serum bilirubin level (greater than 20 mg/dL)
|
|
- Phototherapy
- Blood exchange transfusion
- Rh O type for Rh incompatibility
- Same blood type to infant for ABO incompatibility
- Medication: Phenobarbital
|
|
- Abnormal position: head and heels are bent backward and the body is bowed forward.
- Muscular rigidity
- Irregular movements
- Muscular rigidity
- Decreased muscle tone
- Bilateral involuntary motions
- Seizures
- Mental deficiency
- Speech abnormality
- High-frequency hearing loss
- Squints, defective upward movement of the eye
- Partial deafness
- Cerebral Palsy
|
|
- More than 75% of patients with neurologic symptoms die
- More than 80% of survivors have involuntary motions
|
|
-
Contact your doctor if your child has severe jaundice, if jaundice lasts longer than 1 or 2 weeks, or if other symptoms develop.
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
under which this service is provided to you. Read our
.
Copyright © 2002 - 2003 eCureMe, Inc All right reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|