Delayed analysis of routine blood samples that screen for dangerous yet easily treatable conditions in newborns is causing a large number of babies to become permanently injured.
A high school boy who had to use a walker everyday trains with the football team and scores a touchdown – and runs off the field with no assistance!
Permanent brain damage can occur in a newborn if the common condition of high bilirubin is allowed to progress. If bilirubin in the blood gets too high, it can enter brain tissue and cause kernicterus and resultant permanent brain injury.
Elevated bilirubin and jaundice are common among newborns and are easily diagnosed and treated. Sometimes, however, medical professionals fail to appropriately treat them and a type of brain damage – kernicterus – occurs.