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Reversibility of acute intermediate phase bilirubin encephalopathy
Author(s) -
Hansen Thor Willy Ruud,
Nietsch Lutz,
Norman Elisabeth,
Bjerre Jesper Vandborg,
Hascoet JeanMichel,
Mreihil Khalaf,
Ebbesen Finn
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01409.x
Subject(s) - medicine , jaundice , encephalopathy , kernicterus , bilirubin , globus pallidus , magnetic resonance imaging , gastroenterology , pediatrics , central nervous system , radiology , basal ganglia
Aim: To show the potential for reversing acute intermediate to advanced phase bilirubin encephalopathy. Methods: Case studies. Results: Six extremely jaundiced infants had symptoms of intermediate to advanced phase acute bilirubin encephalopathy. The infants were treated aggressively. Two patients had brain magnetic resonance imaging showing increased signals in the globus pallidus. On follow‐up, all infants are neurologically normal. Conclusions: Intermediate‐to‐advanced stage acute bilirubin encephalopathy may occasionally be reversible. These cases provide a strong argument in favour of rapid and aggressive intervention in infants presenting with extreme jaundice and neurological symptoms.