Definitions

Kernicterus: Kernicterus is a type of preventable form of brain damage caused by severe newborn jaundice. Clinical symptoms of kernicterus can include: cerebral palsy, gaze and vision abnormalities, hearing impairing called auditory neueropathy and dental enamel hypoplasia.

Cerebral Palsy: Athetosis (uncontrolled movement), spasticity, dystonia (fixed postures), ataxia (uncoordinated movement) and muscle tone abnormalities/changes that can be low-tone in neck and trunk and high tone in arms and legs.

Gaze and Vision Abnormalities: Paresis of the upward gaze, strabismus (one or both eyes may turn in), and other types of vision impairment.

Hearing Impairment (called Auditory Neuropathy):Damage to sound processing centers in the brain.

Dental Enamel Hypoplasia: Enamel on baby teeth may not form completely leaving areas of tooth exposed to decay. May yellow, flake or chip easily, and need to be capped. Permanent teeth are not affected.

Jaundice: Technically known as icterus, is yellowing of the skin, sclera (eyes) and mucous membranes caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. Usually the concentration of bilirubin in the blood must exceed 2-3mg/dL for the coloration to be easily visible.

Bilirubin: Bilirubin is a natural waste product from the break down of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Higher levels of bilirubin causes the yellow skin color indicative of jaundice.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: A type of cerebral palsy caused by damage to the basal ganglia of the brain that results in uncontrolled movements of the hands, feet, legs, and arms.

Exchange Transfusion: The process of removing blood that has too much bilirubin in it and replacing it with donor blood; the donor blood has little bilirubin.

Hyperbilirubinemia: Too much bilirubin in a baby; the amount of bilirubin that is too much depends on the age of the baby and if the baby is premature or sick.

G6PD Deficiency: An inherited disease that causes red blood cells to be destroyed quickly and causes jaundice.

Mental Retardation: Below average intelligence.

Opisthotonos: When the head is thrown backwards and the back is bowed like an arch.

Phototherapy: Special lights that help get rid of bilirubin. A non-invasive treatment for newborn jaundice.