Kernicteric Findings at Autopsy in Two Sick Near Term Infants

Abstract

Experience and Reason| April 01 1997 Kernicteric Findings at Autopsy in Two Sick Near Term Infants Jeffrey M. Perlman, MB; Jeffrey M. Perlman, MB Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Beverly Barton Rogers, MD; Beverly Barton Rogers, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Dennis Burns, MD Dennis Burns, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Address correspondence to: Jeffrey M. Perlman, MB, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235–9063. Pediatrics (1997) 99 (4): 612–615. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.99.4.612 Article history Received: June 10 1996 Accepted: October 15 1996 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Jeffrey M. Perlman, Beverly Barton Rogers, Dennis Burns; Kernicteric Findings at Autopsy in Two Sick Near Term Infants. Pediatrics April 1997; 99 (4): 612–615. 10.1542/peds.99.4.612 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP Grand RoundsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: autopsy, bilirubin, kernicterus, serum bilirubin level, neurons, hemolysis, neurotoxicity syndromes, albumins, blood-brain barrier, brain We present two near term sick infants with unanticipated kernicterus noted at autopsy, which developed in the absence of hemolysis and at serum bilirubin levels that would not have been considered neurotoxic. The kernicterus evolved in the context of known experimental conditions that would have favored the passage of unbound bilirubin across a disrupted blood brain barrier with injury of specific neurons. The relationship between serum bilirubin concentrations and the development of kernicterus in the term infant is complex. While a distinct link between the maximum recorded level of serum bilirubin and the occurrence of kernicterus is apparent with hemolytic disease of the newborn (most often due to Rh isoimmunization), the risk is less clear in markedly jaundiced babies without hemolytic disease.1-6 Moreover, in some instances, clinical and pathologic kernicterus has been observed in premature infants without hemolytic disease and with low bilirubin levels.7 8 The management of... You do not currently have access to this content.