Kernicterus

A term used pathologically to describe BILIRUBIN staining of the BASAL GANGLIA; BRAIN STEM; and CEREBELLUM and clinically to describe a syndrome associated with HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA. Clinical features include athetosis, MUSCLE SPASTICITY or hypotonia, impaired vertical gaze, and DEAFNESS. Nonconjugated bilirubin enters the brain and acts as a neurotoxin, often in association with conditions that impair the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER (e.g., SEPSIS). This condition occurs primarily in neonates (INFANT, NEWBORN), but may rarely occur in adults. (Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p613)

Also Known As:

Encephalopathy, Bilirubin; Encephalopathy, Hyperbilirubinemic; Bilirubin Encephalopathies; Encephalopathies, Bilirubin; Encephalopathies, Hyperbilirubinemic; Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathies; Bilirubin Encephalopathy; Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathy

Nervous System Diseases: 14178
- Central Nervous System Diseases: 4213
  - Brain Diseases: 15694
    - Metabolic Brain Diseases: 215
      - Kernicterus: 631
Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases: 6
- Hematologic Diseases: 3366
  - Fetal Erythroblastosis: 297
    - Kernicterus: 631
Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities: 933
- Diseases Newborn Infant: 266
  - Fetal Erythroblastosis: 297
    - Kernicterus: 631
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases: 15
- Metabolic Diseases: 10142
  - Metabolic Brain Diseases: 215
    - Kernicterus: 631
Immune System Diseases: 4321
- Fetal Erythroblastosis: 297
  - Kernicterus: 631
Signs and Symptoms Pathological Conditions
- Pathologic Processes: 10023
  - Hyperbilirubinemia: 4467
    - Kernicterus: 631

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