Kernicterus

(Bilirubin encephalopathy) The kernicterus is an injury to the brain caused by deposits unconjugated bilirubin in the basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei. Normally, bilirubin is bound to serum albumin and remains in the intravascular space. but it can also cross the blood-brain barrier and cause a kernicterus, if the serum bilirubin concentration increased significantly (hyperbilirubinemia) and the serum albumin concentration is significantly decreased (z. B. in preterm infants), or the…