Untreated Newborn Jaundice Complication

Bilirubin is a waste product produced by normal cell metabolism.

It is necessary for the liver, for good health to be maintained, to avoid high waste blood levels to remove the bilirubin. This is referred to as hyperbilirubinemia.

When levels of bilirubin, in newborns, for extended periods remain elevated, levels that are unchecked can result in a catastrophic medical condition known as kernicterus, a type of brain damage.

Kernicterus, additionally, for other complications, may be responsible, such as: problems with vision; loss of hearing; cerebral palsy; movement disorders; basic jaundice treatment; and dental problems.

Hyperbilirubinemia, or newborn jaundice, can be treated and diagnosed easily, fortunately.

Many hyperbilirubinemia cases are apparent readily from obvious yellowing of eyes and skin. 


To confirm diagnosis in infants with darker complexions, a mere blood test can be administered.

A small number, each day, of red blood cells perish, and become replaced in the body of one.

Dead blood cells are removed through the liver.

Bilirubin is created by this removal. This is broken down and removed in stool waste by the liver.

If the body of a baby isn’t able to remove bilirubin through break down, then jaundice arises.

Babies who are premature and breast-fed are the most at-risk of the inability to remove bilirubin. They tend to develop jaundice, mild or severe.

A baby may suffer from a medical condition or disease which can impact the pancreas, liver or gallbladder, and can be at great risk of catastrophic jaundice.

Babies, for example, may likely have jaundice if they sustain during birth the following: rotor syndrome; Gilbert syndrome; immune disorders; Crigler-Najjar syndrome; abnormal blood cell shapes; Dubin-Johnson syndrome; due to difficulties during birth, bleeding under the scalp; inherited disorders; a blood type which doesn’t match mother’s; hepatitis, cystic fibrosis, or other diseases which impact the digestive/liver system; and infection, which may even include syphilis, or other congenital infections.

Untreated newborn jaundice complications can lead to medical malpractice for healthcare professionals.

Jaundice complications could change many lives, which is why it is crucial for medical providers to identify and respond to the essential symptoms, which indicate an infant suffers from jaundice.

Most physicians prescribe light therapy, when babies are diagnosed, to assist in bilirubin breakdown.

Untreated newborn jaundice complications may be cause for a claim for medical malpractice against the healthcare practitioner.

Birth injury attorneys can help parents pursue lawsuits against negligent physicians for kernicterus. 


Many of these lawyers handle cases of medical malpractice for your children. Your attorneys can develop a relationship with esteemed experts in economics, medicine, and life care planning.

This happens especially in cases where it’s necessary for children to receive medical care for a lifetime; medical experts can assist you in offering any reassurance for the provided needs of your child.

Jaundice is not atypical; thus, healthcare providers and physicians shouldn’t have trouble recognizing the risk, and being able to detect jaundice in a baby.

Untreated newborn jaundice complications may result in medical malpractice if a healthcare provider or physician neglects in treating and diagnosing jaundice when an adequate physician can be held legally liable.

Contact us for a free consultation or call Anzalone Law Firm PLLC, at: 603.548.3797