Kernicterus and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

N. Ambalavanan MDDivision of Neonatology

University of Alabama at BirminghamJan 2005

ambal@uab.edu

Overview

Kernicterus What is it? Is it a problem? Why is it a problem? What can we do about it?

AAP Clinical Practice Guideline: Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in

the Newborn Infant 35 or More Weeks of Gestation. Pediatrics. 2004; 114:297-316 (July issue)

Kernicterus Schmorl (1904) described yellow staining of

the basal ganglia in the brain of infants who died with severe jaundice and called it “kernikterus”. Also noted by Orth in 1875.

Extreme hyperbilirubinemia causes bilirubin encephalopathy and toxicity to basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei.

Rare but preventable cause of severe morbidity in otherwise normal infants.

AAP recommendation: Acute manifestations: acute bilirubin

encephalopathy Kernicterus: Chronic and permanent clinical

sequelae of bilirubin toxicity

Acute bilirubin encephalopathy

3 distinct clinical phases: First phase (first few days): Stupor, hypotonia,

and poor sucking. Second phase: Hypertonia (retrocollis – backward

arching of neck, opisthotonus – arching of trunk) and fever. All infants who develop this will develop chronic encephalopathy.

Third phase (after first week): Disappearance of hypertonia. Muscle rigidity, paralysis of upward gaze, periodic oculogyric crisis, and irregular respirations are present in the terminal phase. 4% die in acute phase (data from USA)

Chronic bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus)

First year: Poor feeding, high pitched cry. Hypotonia but good deep tendon reflexes. Tonic neck reflex, righting reflex persist. Slow motor skills (up to 5 years to walk).

After first year: Main clinical features are: extrapyramidal disorder (athetosis, ballismus,

tremor, dysarthria) hearing loss (damage to cochlear nuclei in

brainstem) gaze abnormalities (limitation of upward gaze)

Athetosis normally develops 18 months- 8 years of age. Hearing loss may be the only symptom in some children.

Investigations (Volpe JJ:. 3rd Ed., 1995)

Clinical features Bilirubin (unconjugated) level Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Increased signal intensity in the globus pallidus (+ putamen + thalamus) on T2-weighted images

Is kernicterus a problem?

Major problem in the 1950’s -1970’s Rh-hemolytic disease was common, and

kernicterus had a high incidence Exchange transfusion, Rh-

immunoglobulin, and phototherapy markedly reduced kernicterus by 1980’s.

Less emphasis on jaundice in 1990’s An increase in kernicterus recently

What is the incidence?

Kernicterus registry in the United States: 90 cases from 1984 to 2001

True incidence unknown, as not all cases are identified or reported

JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of

Healthcare Organizations) has issued a ‘Sentinel Event Alert’ on kernicterus (Apr 2001)

www.pickonline.org

Why is kernicterus a problem?

Jaundice in the newborn is common Extreme hyperbilirubinemia that can

cause kernicterus is rare Assessment of risk of extreme

hyperbilirubinemia has been inadequate or unreliable, and bilirubin levels have not always been measured, or measured in time

Risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia in full-term newborns

Jaundice within first 24 hours of birth A sibling who was jaundiced as a

neonate Unrecognized hemolysis (ABO- or Rh-

incompatibility) Non-optimal sucking/nursing Deficiency in G6PD Infection Cephalhematomas/bruising East Asian or Mediterranean descent

MMWR Vol 50, No. 23, 491-4, June 15, 2001

Pathophysiology

Physiologic hyperbilirubinemia Increased bilirubin production Decreased bilirubin conjugation Decreased excretion

Average peak in full term: 5-6 mg/dL Exaggerated physiological: 7-17 mg/dL Pathologic hyperbilirubinemia:>17

mg/dL

Dennery et al. NEJM 344:581, 2001

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology

Factors affecting neurotoxicity Concentration of bilirubin in the brain Duration of exposure to bilirubin Correlation between serum bilirubin

and neurotoxicity is weak, except in infants with hemolysis

Dennery et al. NEJM 344:581, 2001

Problems with serum bilirubin

No estimate of duration Not a good estimate of

tissue concentration bilirubin production albumin-bound bilirubin in serum

Phototherapy creates photo-isomer that is excreted

Serum Bilirubin and Kernicterus

Kernicterus in Rh-isoimmunization:Serum level Incidence10-18 mg/dL 0 %19-24 mg/dL 8 %25-29 mg/dL 33 %30-40 mg/dL 73 %

Volpe JJ: Neurology of the Newborn. 3rd Ed. pp 490-514, 1995

Old recommendations

Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Healthy Term Newborn. Pediatrics 94: 558, 1994

Age,hoursTSB Level, mg/dL (pmol/L)

  Consider Photo-therapy

Phototherapy Exchange Transf. if Intensive Photo therapy Fails

Exchange Transf. and Intensive

Phototherapy

<=24§ ... ... ... ...

25-48 >12 (210) >15 (260) >20 (340) >25 (430)

49-72 >15 (260) >18 (310) >25 (430) >30 (510)

>72 >17 (290) >20 (340) >25 (430) >30 (510)

Is a serum bilirubin of 20-25 mg/dL safe?

9.8% of babies with serum bilirubin between 20-25 mg/dl had kernicterus

Dhaded et al. Indian Pediatr 33: 1059, 1996 Prospective observational study of 94 infants

admitted with bilirubin >18 mg/dL Exchange transfusion done at level >20 mg/dL 28 excluded as 24 had hemolysis and 4 had malformations 14 (22%) of remaining 64 developed kernicterus (> stage II)

Total bilirubin 18-25 mg/dL: 14 % incidence 25-29 mg/dL: 18 % incidence >30 mg/dL: 43 % incidence

Problem: Admitted in declining phase, after damage is done?Murki et al. Indian Pediatr 38: 757, 2001

Root cause analysis

Four patient care processes: Patient assessment Continuum of care Patient and family education Treatment

JCAHO Sentinel Event Alert April 2001

Root cause: Patient assessment

The unreliability of visual assessment of jaundice in newborns with dark skin

Failure to recognize jaundice- or its severity- based on visual assessment, and measure a bilirubin level before the infant’s discharge from the hospital or during a follow-up visit

Failure to measure the bilirubin level in an infant who is jaundiced within the first 24 hours

Root cause: Continuum of care

Early discharge (before 48 hours) with no follow-up within 1 or 2 days of discharge (particularly important for infants <38 wks gestation)

Failure to provide early follow-up with physical assessment for infants who are jaundiced before discharge

Failure to provide ongoing lactation support to ensure adequacy of intake for breast-fed newborns

Root cause: Patient and Family education

Failure to provide appropriate information to parents about jaundice and failure to respond appropriately to parental concerns about a jaundiced newborn, poor feeding, lactation difficulties, and change in newborn behavior and activity.

Root cause: Treatment

Failure to recognize, address, or treat rapidly rising bilirubin

Failure to aggressively treat severe hyperbilirubinemia in a timely manner with intensive phototherapy or exchange transfusion

Early identification: Nomograms

Bhutani et al. Pediatrics 103:6, 1999

How good is the nomogram?

For predicting values >95th percentileBhutani et al. Pediatrics 103:6, 1999

(+) predictive value

(-) predictive value

Sensitivity

Specificity

Above 95th –ile

40% 98% 54% 96%

Above 75th -ile

22% 99.5% 91% 85%

Above 40th -ile

12% 100% 100% 65%

Transcutaneous measurement

New multiwavelength spectral analysis devices (e.g. Bilicheck) Infants with predischarge BiliCheck values

above the 75th percentile on the bilirubin nomogram at high risk for hyperbilirubinemia

-> Negative predictive value = 100%; positive predictive value = 33%; sensitivity = 100%; specificity = 88%

Bhutani et al. Pediatrics 106:E17, 2000

Transcutaneous measurement

A recent study in a predominantly hispanic population showed that skin measurement underestimated serum levels, especially for levels >10 mg/dL

Engle et al. Pediatrics 110:61, 2002

Early identification: CO Carbon monoxide

production is an index of bilirubin production

Devices available to measure CO production in exhaled air (ETCOc)

Does not add much predictive ability to serum bilirubin measurements

Stevenson et al. Pediatrics 108:175, 2001

COStat End-tidal breath analyzer (Natus Medical)

Newer methods of prevention

Metalloporphyrins inhibit bilirubin production Tin-mesoporphyrin (SnMP; 6 M/kg) within 24 h of

birth in 517 preterm infants decreased peak bilirubin by 41% and need for phototherapy by 76% (Valaes et al. Pediatrics 93:1, 1994)

SnMP reduced need for phototherapy (Bili>19.5) in term infants with levels 15-18 mg/dL at 24-48 hrs of age (0 of 40 in SnMP gp vs. 12 of 44 in controls) (Martinez et al. Pediatrics 103:1, 1999)

Other trials also show efficacy in term infants (Dennery et al. NEJM 344:581, 2001)

Not yet approved for use in newborn; no oral formulation yet

Early treatment is required!

Phototherapy (>30 W/cm2/nm) Blue light fluorescent bulbs Bili-blanket alone not very effective High intensity LED (blue, blue-green)

gallium nitride Exchange transfusion

Only after trial of optimal phototherapy, if bilirubin >20-25 mg/dL

About 2% mortality, 12% complications

Summary

Kernicterus still occurs, and is preventable

Prevention is important: Evaluate risk factors (JAUNDICE) Evaluate serum bilirubin (low threshold) Adequate feeding (especially breast fed) Early follow-up (1-2 days after discharge if

<48 hours of age) Instructions to parents Aggressive treatment (early phototherapy)

AAP Clinical Practice Guideline

Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn Infant 35 or More Weeks of Gestation. Pediatrics. 2004; 114:297-316 (July issue)

Key elements of the recommendations provided by this guideline. Clinicians should:

1. Promote and support successful breastfeeding.

2. Establish nursery protocols for the identification and evaluation of hyperbilirubinemia.

3. Measure the total serum bilirubin (TSB) or transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level on infants jaundiced in the first 24 hours.

4. Recognize that visual estimation of the degree of jaundice can lead to errors, particularly in darkly pigmented infants.

Key elements (contd.)5. Interpret all bilirubin levels according to the infant’s age in

hours.

6. Recognize that infants at less than 38 weeks’ gestation, particularly those who are breastfed, are at higher risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia and require closer surveillance and monitoring.

7. Perform a systematic assessment on all infants before discharge for the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia.

8. Provide parents with written and verbal information about newborn jaundice.

9. Provide appropriate follow-up based on the time of discharge and the risk assessment.

10. Treat newborns, when indicated, with phototherapy or exchange transfusion.

Primary Prevention

This guideline strongly supports breastfeeding for all healthy term and near-term newborns.

RECOMMENDATION 1.0: Clinicians should advise mothers to nurse their infants at least 8 to 12 times per day for the first several daysPoor caloric intake and/or dehydration associated with inadequate breastfeeding may contribute to the development of hyperbilirubinemia. Increasing the frequency of nursing decreases the likelihood of subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia in breastfed infants.

RECOMMENDATION 1.1: The AAP recommends against routine supplementation of nondehydrated breastfed infants with water or dextrose waterSupplementation with water or dextrose water will not prevent hyperbilirubinemia or decrease TSB levels

Secondary PreventionRECOMMENDATION 2.0: Clinicians should perform ongoing systematic assessments during the neonatal period for the risk of an infant developing severe hyperbilirubinemia.

Blood Typing RECOMMENDATION 2.1: All pregnant women should be

tested for ABO and Rh (D) blood types and have a serum screen for unusual isoimmune antibodies

RECOMMENDATION 2.1.1: If a mother has not had prenatal blood grouping or is Rh-negative, a direct antibody test (or Coombs’ test), blood type, and an Rh (D) type on the infant’s (cord) blood are strongly recommended

RECOMMENDATION 2.1.2: If the maternal blood is group O, Rh-positive, it is an option to test the cord blood for the infant’s blood type and direct antibody test, but it is not required provided that there is appropriate surveillance, risk assessment before discharge, and follow-up

Secondary PreventionClinical Assessment RECOMMENDATION 2.2: Clinicians should ensure that all

infants are routinely monitored for the development of jaundice, and nurseries should have established protocols for the assessment of jaundice. Jaundice should be assessed whenever the infant’s vital signs are measured but no less than every 8 to 12 hours The assessment of jaundice must be performed in a well-lit room or, preferably, in daylight at a window. Visual estimation of bilirubin levels from the degree of jaundice can lead to errors. In most infants with TSB levels of less than 15 mg/dL (257 µmol/L), noninvasive TcB-measurement devices can provide a valid estimate of the TSB

RECOMMENDATION 2.2.1: Protocols for the assessment of jaundice should include the circumstances in which nursing staff can obtain a TcB level or order a TSB measurement

Secondary Prevention

Laboratory Evaluation RECOMMENDATION 3.0: A TcB and/or TSB

measurement should be performed on every infant who is jaundiced in the first 24 hours after birth. The need for and timing of a repeat TcB or TSB measurement will depend on the zone in which the TSB falls, the age of the infant, and the evolution of the hyperbilirubinemia.

RECOMMENDATION 3.1: A TcB and/or TSB measurement should be performed if the jaundice appears excessive for the infant’s age. If there is any doubt about the degree of jaundice, the TSB or TcB should be measured.

RECOMMENDATION 3.2: All bilirubin levels should be interpreted according to the infant’s age in hours

Laboratory Evaluation Jaundice in first 24 h

Measure TcB and/or TSB Jaundice appears excessive for infant’s age

Measure TcB and/or TSB Infant receiving phototherapy or TSB rising

rapidly (ie, crossing percentiles) and unexplained by history and physical examination:

Blood type and Coombs’ test, if not obtained with cord blood Complete blood count and smear Measure direct or conjugated bilirubin It is an option to perform reticulocyte count, G6PD, and

ETCOc, if available Repeat TSB in 4–24 h depending on infant’s age and TSB

level

Lab Evaluation (contd.)

TSB concentration approaching exchange levels or not responding to phototherapy

Perform reticulocyte count, G6PD, albumin, ETCOc, if available

Elevated direct (or conjugated) bilirubin level Do urinalysis and urine culture. Evaluate for sepsis if indicated by history and physical

examination Jaundice present at or beyond age 3 wk, or

sick infant Total and direct (or conjugated) bilirubin level If direct bilirubin elevated, evaluate for causes of

cholestasis Check results of newborn thyroid and galactosemia screen,

and evaluate infant for signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism

Secondary PreventionCauses of Jaundice RECOMMENDATION 4.1: The possible cause of jaundice should be

sought in an infant receiving phototherapy or whose TSB level is rising rapidly (ie, crossing percentiles and is not explained by the history and physical examination

RECOMMENDATION 4.1.1: Infants who have an elevation of direct-reacting or conjugated bilirubin should have a urinalysis and urine culture. Additional laboratory evaluation for sepsis should be performed if indicated by history and physical examination

RECOMMENDATION 4.1.2: Sick infants and those who are jaundiced at or beyond 3 weeks should have a measurement of total and direct or conjugated bilirubin to identify cholestasis. The results of the newborn thyroid and galactosemia screen should also be checked in these infants

RECOMMENDATION 4.1.3: If the direct-reacting or conjugated bilirubin level is elevated, additional evaluation for the causes of cholestasis is recommended

RECOMMENDATION 4.1.4: Measurement of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) level is recommended for a jaundiced infant who is receiving phototherapy and whose family history or ethnic or geographic origin suggest the likelihood of G6PD deficiency or for an infant in whom the response to phototherapy is poor

Secondary Prevention

Risk Assessment before Discharge RECOMMENDATION 5.1: Before discharge, every

newborn should be assessed for the risk of developing severe hyperbilirubinemia, and all nurseries should establish protocols for assessing this risk. Such assessment is particularly important in infants who are discharged before the age of 72 hours

RECOMMENDATION 5.1.1: The AAP recommends 2 clinical options used individually or in combination for the systematic assessment of risk: predischarge measurement of the bilirubin level using TSB or TcB and/or assessment of clinical risk factors. Whether either or both options are used, appropriate follow-up after discharge is essential.

Risk Factors Major risk factors

Predischarge TSB or TcB level in the high-risk zone

Jaundice observed in the first 24 h  Blood group incompatibility with positive direct

antiglobulin test, other known hemolytic disease (eg, G6PD deficiency),

elevated ETCOc  Gestational age 35–36 wk  Previous sibling received phototherapy  Cephalohematoma or significant bruising Exclusive breastfeeding, particularly if nursing is

not going well and weight loss is excessive East Asian race Discharge from hospital after 72 h

Risk Factors (contd.) Minor risk factors 

Predischarge TSB or TcB level in the high intermediate-risk zone

Gestational age 37–38 wk  Jaundice observed before discharge Previous sibling with jaundice  Macrosomic infant of a diabetic mother  Maternal age >25 y Male

Decreased risk TSB or TcB level in the low-risk zone Gestational age >41 wk Exclusive bottle feeding Black race

Secondary PreventionHospital Policies and Procedures RECOMMENDATION 6.1: All hospitals should provide

written and verbal information for parents at the time of discharge, which should include an explanation of jaundice, the need to monitor infants for jaundice, and advice on how monitoring should be done.

Follow-up RECOMMENDATION 6.1.1: All infants should be

examined by a qualified health care professional in the first few days after discharge to assess infant well-being and the presence or absence of jaundice. The timing and location of this assessment will be determined by the length of stay in the nursery, presence or absence of risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia and risk of other neonatal problems

Timing of Follow-up RECOMMENDATION 6.1.2: Follow-up should be provided as

follows: Infant Discharged Should Be Seen by Age Before age 24 h 72 h Between 24 and 47.9 h 96 h Between 48 and 72 h 120 hFor some newborns discharged before 48 hours, 2 follow-up visits may be required, the first visit between 24 and 72 hours and the second between 72 and 120 hours. Clinical judgment should be used in determining follow-up.

RECOMMENDATION 6.1.3: If appropriate follow-up cannot be ensured in the presence of elevated risk for developing severe hyperbilirubinemia, it may be necessary to delay discharge either until appropriate follow-up can be ensured or the period of greatest risk has passed (72-96 hours)

Follow-up assessment RECOMMENDATION 6.1.4: The follow-up

assessment should include: the infant’s weight and percent change from

birth weight adequacy of intake the pattern of voiding and stooling the presence or absence of jaundice.

Clinical judgment should be used to determine the need for a bilirubin measurement. If there is any doubt about the degree of jaundice, the TSB or TcB level should be measured.

TreatmentRecommendations for phototherapy and exchange transfusions are according to provided tables and graphs

RECOMMENDATION 7.1.1: In using the guidelines for phototherapy and exchange transfusion, the direct-reacting (or conjugated) bilirubin level should not be subtracted from the total. If the direct bilirubin level is 50% or more of the total bilirubin, consultation with an expert is recommended.

RECOMMENDATION 7.1.2: If the TSB is at a level at which exchange transfusion is recommended or if the TSB level is 25 mg/dL (428 µmol/L) or higher at any time, it is a medical emergency and the infant should be admitted immediately and directly to a hospital pediatric service for intensive phototherapy. These infants should not be referred to the emergency department, because it delays the initiation of treatment

Phototherapy

Exchange Transfusion

Treatment (contd.) RECOMMENDATION 7.1.3: Exchange

transfusions should be performed only by trained personnel in a NICU with full monitoring and resuscitation capabilities

RECOMMENDATION 7.1.4: In isoimmune hemolytic disease, administration of intravenous -globulin (0.5-1 g/kg over 2 hours) is recommended if the TSB is rising despite intensive phototherapy or the TSB level is within 2 to 3 mg/dL (34-51 µmol/L) of the exchange level. If necessary, this dose can be repeated in 12 hours

Treatment (contd) RECOMMENDATION 7.1.5: It is an option

to measure the serum albumin level and consider an albumin level of less than 3.0 g/dL as one risk factor for lowering the threshold for phototherapy use.

RECOMMENDATION 7.1.6: If an exchange transfusion is being considered, the serum albumin level should be measured and the bilirubin/albumin (B/A) ratio used in conjunction with the TSB level and other factors in determining the need for exchange transfusion

Treatment (contd.) Acute Bilirubin Encephalopathy

RECOMMENDATION 7.1.7: Immediate exchange transfusion is recommended in any infant who is jaundiced and manifests the signs of the intermediate to advanced stages of acute bilirubin encephalopathy (hypertonia, arching, retrocollis, opisthotonos, fever, high-pitched cry) even if the TSB is falling

PhototherapyRECOMMENDATION 7.2: All nurseries and services treating infants should have the necessary equipment to provide intensive phototherapy

Outpatient Management of the Jaundiced Breastfed Infant

RECOMMENDATION 7.3: In breastfed infants who require phototherapy, the

AAP recommends that, if possible, breastfeeding should be continued.

It is also an option to interrupt temporarily breastfeeding and substitute formula. This can reduce bilirubin levels and/or enhance the efficacy of phototherapy.

In breastfed infants receiving phototherapy, supplementation with expressed breast milk or formula is appropriate if the infant’s intake seems inadequate, weight loss is excessive, or the infant seems dehydrated