Simple Test May Prevent Irreparable Brain Damage in Newborns

According to data released by Hospital Corporation of America, a simple, $1 test detecting severe jaundice can prevent irreparable brain damage in newborns. When left undetected, severe jaundice can lead to kernicterus, a condition leaving babies brain damaged and often physically impaired.

Experts estimate that as many as 60 percent of all newborns are affected by some level of jaundice. The test is easy to perform and the condition, if detected, is inexpensive to treat, but the severity and incidence of kernicterus continues to be underestimated by the medical community, according to Dr. Vinod Bhutani, a clinical professor of neonatology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Bhutani believes all babies should be screened for severe jaundice before going home in order to prevent kernicterus. After conducting extensive research on the prevention of kernicterus, Bhutani says he has observed an increase in the disorder ever since hospital stays for mothers and babies were reduced in the early ‘90s. Using data from HCA hospitals from May 1 through December 31, 2004, before HCA began screening babies, Bhutani documented a monthly average of 1.2 cases of babies with jaundice severe enough to put them at hazardous risk for kernicterus.

There were 151,996 babies born during this period. HCA began screening babies born in its hospitals from February 1, 2005, and from then through May 31, 2005, there have been no new cases. During the screening time, 72,870 babies were born in HCA hospitals. Bhutani believes the results of the 2004 study clearly shows there is a much higher incidence of kernicterus than previously realized by the medical community, making it necessary to screen all newborns.

The Centers for Disease Control and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations have issued alerts in the last few years to all accredited hospitals and public health professionals in the U.S. saying all healthy infants are at potential risk of kernicterus if their newborn jaundice is not monitored and not adequately treated. For more information on birth injuries, please contact us to confer with a cerebral palsy lawyer.