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Home > Malpractice > Medical Malpractice > Birth Trauma > Hyperbilirubinemia and Kernicterus

Hyperbilirubinemia and Kernicterus Injury Attorneys

in Denver and throughout Colorado and Wyoming

Bilirubin is a metabolic waste product produced by the breakdown of heme, a component of red blood cells. Hyperbilirubinemia is an elevated level of Bilirubin in the blood serum, and is measured by a simple blood test. Hyperbilirubinemia can lead to jaundice which is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. The threshold for an abnormal value varies by age.

Bilirubin may exist in the blood in two different forms, either bound to protein or unbound. The amounts of these two forms of Bilirubin are added together to make up the Total Serum Bilirubin ("TSB") concentration. High levels of unbound bilirubin can cause a condition known as kernicterus which is a form of brain damage. Kernicterus is a preventable injury with devastating results including cerebral palsy, spasticity and movement disorders, delays in development and growth, hearing loss, impairment of the ability to gaze upwards, and dental problems.

There is no treatment once kernicterus develops, but it can be prevented by treatment of the elevated bilirubin levels with minimal intervention, including simply leaving the infant under UV lights, monitoring the baby's blood levels and just carefully observing the baby.

Medical errors that can cause Kernicterus:
Kernicterus became relatively rare with the invention of effective phototherapy systems, but in recent years more cases of kernicterus have begun to appear. Perhaps the most tragic part of this is that kernicterus is easily prevented with proper care and monitoring. With the medical treatments available today, kernicterus should be a rare occurrence.

Unfortunately, however, some medical professionals still hold the mistaken belief that the extent to which a baby is jaundiced is an indication of how high the baby's Bilirubin level is. This is not true. In many babies, especially those with dark skin, jaundice is difficult to detect visually, and it is not uncommon for a baby to have an elevated Bilirubin level even when the skin appears normal in color. The surest way to know if the baby's Bilirubin level is too high is to measure it with a blood test. Another misconception is that kernicterus only occurs when the Bilirubin level is extremely high, such as at a value of 20 mg/dL or above. This is also incorrect, and kernicterus has been reported even at levels as low as 10 mg/dL.

Because it takes a few days for even a healthy baby's liver to begin working at full capacity, it is normal for most babies to have some jaundice between days 2 and 5 of their lives. Jaundice that appears within the first 24 hours of life, however, is usually a sign of a more serious cause of jaundice and should be carefully monitored and treated appropriately. Likewise, jaundice that lasts longer than the first few days of life can also be a sign of a more serious problem. Some common causes of elevated Bilirubin levels and jaundice include:

  • Rh or ABO blood incompatibility between mother and baby
  • Bruising during birth due to use of assistive devices such as forceps or vacuums
  • Any traumatic injury that causes bleeding or bruising
  • A family history of jaundice in the baby's siblings
  • Certain genetic diseases such as Crigler-Najjar Syndrome or Gilbert's Syndrome
  • Liver disorders

Even at high levels, elevated Bilirubin can be successfully treated with phototherapy. When phototherapy is discontinued, however, it is important for healthcare providers to monitor the Bilirubin levels in case they should rebound back to dangerous levels. TSB concentration should be re-checked within the first 48-72 hours after phototherapy is discontinued to ensure that the levels are remaining at a safe level once the therapy is removed.

In addition to the tremendous emotional and physical hardships involved, caring for a child with brain damage resulting from kernicterus can be financially devastating. Receiving compensation when medical errors cause the Kernicterus can help to offset the astronomical costs of providing proper care and treatment for your child.

In June 2010 Burg Simpson attorney Jennifer Keel wrote the article "Neonatal Jaundice, Hyperbilirubinemia, and Kernicterus for the Medical Negligence Litigator". This was originally published in American Association for Justice, Birth Trauma Litigation Newsletter and is used with permission.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Injuries

Medical Malpractice: Birth Trauma

Brachial Plexus Injuries

Erb's Palsy

Birth Brain Injury

If your child has been diagnosed with kernicterus-related brain damage, please call or email us today to schedule your free initial consultation. We'll review your Hyperbilirubinemia and Kernicterus claim with you and help you determine how to best proceed. We represent Hyperbilirubinemia and Kernicterus victims in Colorado, Wyoming and nationwide.

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Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. is a law firm serving the Rocky Mountain Region. The firm has offices in Denver, Colorado, Cody, WY, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Phoenix, AZ. The Firm is responsible for the content on the website,this information is not to be interpreted as providing legal services, nor as proposing any form of legal advice.