New Study on Cerebral Palsy Risk Factor

Jaundice is a common condition in infants, affecting about 60 percent of all newborns. Though a usually benign condition, severe cases of jaundice can lead to kernicterus which, in turn, can cause brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Doctors and nurses have long relied on visual exams to determine the extent of an infant’s jaundice. This has been the case because babies with jaundice tend to have a yellowish appearance, which stems from heightened levels of a blood byproduct known as bilirubin.

However, a new study published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition showed that visual exams are not adequate predictors of an infant’s risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia.

“Our study tells clinicians that our ability to estimate a baby’s bilirubin level or predict the baby’s risk of developing clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia by visually observing the extent of visual jaundice is inadequate and not very helpful,” said Dr. Ron Keren, leader of the study.

The alternative to visual assessment of jaundice is universal bilirubin screening, which can determine the risk to an infant regardless of yellow appearance.

If your child suffered from severe jaundice after birth and now has cerebral palsy symptoms, you may wish to have your circumstances evaluated by a medical/legal expert. Jaundice is a treatable condition and should never be allowed to progress to the point where it causes brain damage.