Question

Hi so I did a case on Kernicterus and now I have to explain why these differential diagnosis are wrong. Below are the differential diagnosis that I have to explain why it isnt kernicterus.

Liver disease

Hemolytic anemia (baby

Acute bilirubin encephalopathy

Rh incompatibility

Hyperbilirubinemia

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Biliary Atresia.

Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

Kernicterus is a condition which is seen in babies ,when Bilirubin levels increase in the brain and requires immediate medical attention to bring the Bilirubin levels to lower levels.

The signs and symptoms of kernicterus are much more severe than jaundice.It occurs in situations where jaundice is left untreated.The presence of uncongugated Bilirubin in the body could lead to the development of kernicterus.

Let's look into other diseases which has been compared with kernicterus.

1.Rh incompatability:it is a condition in which both the mother and baby's blood type are different.In these condition when the RBC of the foetus cross the placenta ,the mothers bodies attacks them and eventually destroys the foetal RBC 's.As a result of this Bilirubin levels of the baby surges up.When the baby is born this Bilirubin level gets build up in the brain.

Haemolytic Anaemia

This is a condition which the blood type of the mother and father is different,then the baby has a chance of developing haemolysis.The blood type present in the mothers body sees the blood type of the baby as a foreign component and attacks.The main complication behind this is that there is a chance of baby developing anaemia.

Bilirubin Encephalopathy-

When the brain becomes permanently damaged due to Bilirubin Encephalopathy,it is referred to as kernicterus.Bilirubin Encephalopathy is found in children who has low immunity.

Biliary atresia

It is a liver problem that becomes prominent after birth.in this condition bile ducts are blocked and it becomes almost impossible for the bile to leave the liver through the ducts and hence damage to the portal organ .

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease-

It is a condition in which excess fats accumulate in the liver.

Liver diseases

At first liver diseases does not exhibit any signs and symptoms ,but the initial symptoms appear within a month ,such as jaundice,pale stools,Enlarged liver,Abdominal swelling and dark urine.

Hyperbilirubinaemia

It is characterized by an increase in Bilirubin level in the blood,and eventually leads to jaundice.and usually occurs within the first 10days of life.Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia could lead to acute brain Encephalopathy.

This shows that each of the diagnosis has its individual clinical entity ,though some features are related or connected with each other ,Kernicterus is in its own an individual condition.