Kernicterus is a form of brain damage caused by a build-up of bilirubin, the substance left over when red blood cells die, in your bloodstream. Bilirubin causes your skin to develop a yellow tint, and it may lead to the development of jaundice. Jaundice is usually harmless. However, if the bilirubin levels in your bloodstream reach very high levels, it may enter the brain, causing brain damage.

Kernicterus is easily avoidable. If your baby shows signs of jaundice, you should visit your doctor immediately for treatment. With competent medical care, your child's condition will improve, and there will be no risk of developing kernicterus. Unfortunately, many doctors make medical errors which may lead to your baby developing kernicterus and acute kernicterus.

Some common errors include:

• A doctor might not believe the bilirubin levels in a child's test results and order a second test.
• A doctor might see the jaundice in a baby and assume it will go away on its own.
• The doctor stops phototherapy, used to treat jaundice, causing kernicterus to develop or get worse.
• A doctor uses indirect bilirubin in treatment which can cause the bilirubin in your child's blood to be displaced and enter the brain tissue.
• The doctor does not compare the bilirubin to hour specific norms.

If you live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania and believe your child developed kernicterus due to a medical error, please contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys at Weiss & Paarz, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Kernicterus is a form of brain damage caused by bilirubin, the substance left over when red blood cells die. Bilirubin causes the skin to look yellow and causes jaundice. Jaundice is a common condition; close to 60% of babies born in the U.S. have jaundice for a brief period of time. In most cases, it is harmless. However, if the bilirubin level gets too high in the blood, then some of the bilirubin moves into the brain causing brain damage.

Signs of Kernicterus

Common signs that your baby is suffering from kernicterus include:

• Dark yellow or even orange-colored skin
• Regular bouts of lethargy
• A high-pitched cry
• A floppy appearance due to lack of muscle tone
• Arching the head and back in a contorted position

If you suspect your newborn has any of these signs, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Kernicterus Treatment

Kernicterus is treatable. Sometimes doctors will fail to provide treatment to a baby that already has kernicterus, assuming that it is too late to treat the condition. This is an act of gross negligence on the part of the doctor, and it constitutes medical malpractice. Treatment should always be administered, even if the baby has already developed kernicterus. The sooner the bilirubin is reduced in the blood, the more likely your baby's brain damage will be reduced, which may mean that less of it will be permanent.

Treatment for kernicterus often includes:

• Phototherapy
• Medications
• Blood exchange

If you live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania and believe your child suffered from kernicterus due to a medical error, please contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys at Weiss & Paarz, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.