What is the risk of Kernicterus birth injury?
With attentive and responsive neonatal care, kernicterus birth injury should be completely avoidable. If a child is exhibiting signs of jaundice, doctors have a duty to carefully monitor the health of that child and to respond to any warning signs. While the majority of newborns will have sufficient inbuilt response to fight off the jaundice themselves, in cases where they don’t, the use of phototherapy should be effective in reducing levels of bilrubin. Phototherapy is a relatively benign treatment that causes minimal or no discomfort to the baby. It is simply the use of a blue light which breaks down bilrubin levels in the body. In extreme cases, where phototherapy is not getting satisfying results, a blood transfusion should be effective in securing the newborn’s good health. Symptoms of Kernicterus Exhibition of any of the following symptoms should be thoroughly investigated: • Drowsiness and difficulties in being roused. • High-pitched crying • Limpness • Yellow or orange skin (us
