Topic summary
Kernicterus
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Bilirubin encephalopathy.
Diagnosis
Kernicterus presents as jaundice and neurological symptoms such as cerebral paresis, gaze palsy and hearing loss. Bilirubin tests needs to be done on newborns as an indirect bilirubin level above 25 mg/dl, is diagnostic for kernicterus. If a newborn's Rh is different from its mother's Rh, then there is Rh incompatibility, which increases the risk of developing kernicterus.