A Far Too Common Medical Malpractice Case: A failure to diagnose and treat kernicterus
Kernicterus: The Risk of Brain Damage from Neonatal Jaundice
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, or jaundice in newborns, is a common condition, but in severe cases, it can lead to a serious complication called kernicterus.
What is Kernicterus?
Kernicterus is a type of brain damage caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the brain. Bilirubin is a yellow-orange pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. When bilirubin levels are very high, it can cross the blood-brain barrier and deposit in the brain cells, causing irreversible damage.
Symptoms of Kernicterus:
- Early Signs: Lethargy, poor feeding, high-pitched cry, muscle weakness, and poor muscle tone.
- Later Signs: Hearing loss, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and intellectual disability.
Risk Factors for Kernicterus:
- High Bilirubin Levels: Very high bilirubin levels in the blood pose the greatest risk.
- Prematurity: Premature babies are at increased risk due to immature liver function.
- Blood Type Incompatibility: If the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, there’s a risk of blood incompatibility, which can lead to excessive red blood cell breakdown and high bilirubin levels.
- Certain Infections: Some infections can increase the risk of severe jaundice.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Early Detection: Regular checkups by a pediatrician are crucial for early detection of jaundice.
- Phototherapy: This is the primary treatment for jaundice and is very effective in reducing bilirubin levels.
- Exchange Transfusion: In severe cases, an exchange transfusion may be necessary to quickly remove bilirubin from the blood.
Importance of Early Intervention:
Early detection and treatment of neonatal jaundice are critical to prevent kernicterus. If you have any concerns about your baby’s well-being from a failure to treat hyperbilirubinemia, contact your pediatrician or go to a children’s hospital immediately.
Contact Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorneys at The Moses Firm
If your children or loved one has suffered brain damage from a failure to diagnose or treat hyperbilirubinemia, contact the top medical malpractice lawyers from Atlanta, Georgia, at The Moses Firm.
