Question 1

what is kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

Term definitions: Kernicterus is a term uses to describe the effect that occurs when bilirubin rises to toxic levels in a baby and injures brain cells.It goes through several phases leading to a variety of permanent defects. These can include a movement disorder,deafness,visual problems and others. Recognition and treatment of high bilirubin levels can prevent this if done quickly.

Question 2

can you reverse kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

No: Once kernicterus develops, most of the damage is already done to the baby's brain. Mild improvement can happen later.

Question 3

what are the tests for kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

KERNICTERUS: Once hyperbilirubin is detected, efforts should be done to lower it. There's no  test  to determine the risk of kernicterus and no treatment once it develops.

Question 4

what are the symptoms of kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

KERNIECTERUS: Hyperbilirubinemia in infants causes kernicterus. Sx are lethargy, poor feeding, vomiting, seizures. Itmay result in mental retardation, cerebral palsy later in childhood due to encephalopathy.

Question 5

what is the treatment for kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

Prevention: Kernicterus occurs as a result of newborn jaundice of a severely high level that is untreated. I have not seen nor heard of a case in my entire career. Newborn jaundice is common and is easily treated with sun, phototherapy, or in severe cases exchange transfusion. (have not seen that in 20+ years). The best treatment is prevention.

Question 6

my baby 7 days old is diagnosed with high level of biliburin 15mg/dl, this is the first time baby had his blood test after week, is it kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: This is a moderate level for the bili level. Numbers over 25 or 30 would be suggestive but a single level in this range is relatively common in infants who do well .

Question 7

bilirubin blood work needed to detect kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

NOT ABSOLUTELY: Necessary , but to monitor severity and response to treatment it is.

Question 8

can kids with kernicterus eventually talk, read or write?

Accepted Answer

Mostly not: Most of chidren who survived kernicterus-severe bilirubin toxicity-develop sensorineural hearing loss and athetoid type cerebral palsy which adversely affects coordination of fine movements.  Neuronal damage in cerebral cortex often associated in kernicterus results in hampering of higher cognitive function.

Question 9

how dosalmonellaspecies cause disease(s)?

Accepted Answer

Intestine: The salmonella bacteria enter the body through the GI tract and then gain access to the bloodstream by going through the lymphatic channels on the intestinal tract.  The bacteria then travel around the circulation and infect various organs causing disease.

Question 10

what are the main causes of diabetes in the u.s.a.?

Accepted Answer

: The main type of diabetes mellitus in America is type 2 diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes mellitus. It happens when pancreas can't make enough insulin to bring the glucose (sugar) into the cells for a normal metabolism. Pancreas fails early because of either poor diet or insulin resistance which overwhelms the endocrine function of the pancreas. Hereditary may have some contribution.

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What are the tests for kernicterus?

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What are the symptoms of kernicterus?

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What is the treatment for kernicterus?

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My baby 7 days old is diagnosed with high level of biliburin 15mg/dl, this is the first time baby had his blood test after week, is it kernicterus?

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Bilirubin blood work needed to detect kernicterus?

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Can kids with kernicterus eventually talk, read or write?

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How dosalmonellaspecies cause disease(s)?

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What are the main causes of diabetes in the u.s.a.?

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