What You Need to Know About Newborn Jaundice
Many parents-to-be are familiar with the term jaundice. Jaundice is a condition where elevated levels of bilirubin cause the skin of some newborn babies to take on a yellowish hue. It is not an uncommon condition, and doctors have become adept at detecting and treating it. What parents need to know about jaundice is that if left untreated, it can develop into a more dangerous medical condition called Kernicterus.
Kernicterus is a form of birth injury which occurs when elevated bilirubin resulting from untreated jaundice causes brain damage. Since jaundice is a treatable condition, Kernicterus is preventable. In cases where jaundice goes undetected and untreated and progresses into kernicterus, the victim and their family may be able to assert a claim for damages based upon negligence.
Jaundice typically develops within a few days after the birth of a baby. Whether you remain in the hospital for a few days after your baby is born or you go home with your new baby the day after he or she is born, a doctor should check your baby for jaundice within a couple of days of birth. If you notice signs of jaundice, such as a yellow color on your baby’s face or eyes, do not wait until someone comes to check your baby for the condition, call a doctor right away.
Treatments for jaundice vary depending upon the severity of the condition. For example, mild cases of physiological jaundice resolve after a few days of frequent feedings and exposure to indirect sunlight. In more severe cases, additional blood tests may be ordered so that a cause can be identified. Possible causes of severe jaundice include infection or problems with the blood or liver. Jaundice of this nature is treated in a hospital setting, often with a combination of frequent feedings, including supplementation with formula if necessary, and phototherapy. Extremely severe cases of jaundice may even require blood transfusions.
If your baby has jaundice that becomes increasingly severe and is not treated, kernicterus may develop. Symptoms of Kernicterus include extreme sleepiness and difficulty in waking to feed, a high-pitched cry which sounds unusual, and poor muscle tone or floppiness. A fever may be present in conjunction with the other symptoms of kernicterus.
Since Kernicterus is a form of brain damage, it can affect a child for the rest of their life. Some of the challenges that children with Kernicterus may face include developmental disabilities, difficulties with learning, trouble with movement including movement of the eyes, and hearing loss. These challenges may require special treatment and accommodations, which can be costly for parents.
If medical professionals failed to detect and treat your child’s jaundice and it progressed into Kernicterus, you may be able to hold them responsible for their negligent actions. To do this, you need the assistance of a knowledgeable Tennessee Birth Injury Attorney. The caring and compassionate Tennessee Birth Injury Attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC would like to learn more about your case. We can answer your questions, explain your options, and help you decide how to proceed. We can help you to pursue the recovery that you deserve so that you can focus on giving your child the care that they need. To learn more, call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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