Kernicterus Medication

  • Author: Shelley C Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP; Chief Editor: Ted Rosenkrantz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 26, 2012
 

Medication Summary

No medications are available to treat the symptoms of acute or chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. Pharmacologic intervention is aimed at prevention. Current therapies are indicated as adjuncts to phototherapy when total bilirubin is approaching exchange level; experimental therapy continues with the use of bilirubin production inhibitors.

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Blood Product Derivatives

Class Summary

These methods decrease the amount of free bilirubin in the intravascular space, thus theoretically reducing the risk of neurotoxicity. Bilirubin is produced via induction of its enzymatic pathway and by RBC degradation. Inhibition of either of those 2 mechanisms can decrease the amount of bilirubin in the blood.

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Albumin (Albuminar, Albutein, Plasbumin)

 

Because bilirubin bound to albumin is not available to cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing the amount of serum albumin theoretically increases the amount of available binding sites and decreases free bilirubin. Efforts to quantify albumin-binding capability or serum levels of bound bilirubin have not proved to be clinically useful, although assessment of the bilirubin-to-albumin ratio has recently been incorporated into the decision-making algorithm for exchange transfusion. However, administration of albumin for the purpose of increasing bilirubin-binding capacity is not a recommended standard of care. It may be considered in cases of significant hypoalbuminemia. Measured albumin levels < 3 g/dL may be considered an additional risk factor for BIND when considering therapeutic interventions.

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Immune globulin intravenous (Gamimune, Gammagard S/D, Gammar-P, Polygam S/D)

 

Parenteral administration has been shown in controlled clinical trials to reduce the need for exchange transfusion in both Rh and ABO immune-mediated hemolytic disease. Its mechanism of action is not entirely clear.

Administration in hyperbilirubinemia resulting from isoimmune hemolytic disease that is unresponsive to phototherapy and/or is approaching exchange level has been recommended by the AAP in its 2004 revised clinical practice guideline.

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Anticonvulsant Agents

Class Summary

Phenobarbital may increase hepatic conjugation and excretion. Decreased hepatic conjugation caused by normal delay in enzyme induction increases the amount of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood stream. Conjugated bilirubin does not pose a threat of neurotoxicity. Once conjugated, this nontoxic form of bilirubin proceeds toward intestinal excretion.

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Phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)

 

Induces the hepatic enzymes involved in bilirubin conjugation and increases biliary excretion.

Do not administer intra-arterially. Dosing can be enteral or parenteral.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Shelley C Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP  Clinical Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine; Clinical Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Neonatologist, Pediatrix Medical Group; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Texas Science Center; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine

Shelley C Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David J Annibale, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Director of Neonatology, Director of Fellowship Training Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina

David J Annibale, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and National Perinatal Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Oussama Itani, MD, FAAP, FACN  Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University; Medical Director, Department of Neonatology, Borgess Medical Center

Oussama Itani, MD, FAAP, FACN is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physician Executives, and American Heart Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David A Clark, MD  Chairman, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Albany Medical College

David A Clark, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Pediatric Society, Christian Medical & Dental Society, Medical Society of the State of New York, New York Academy of Sciences, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Carol L Wagner, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina

Carol L Wagner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Chemical Society, American Medical Women's Association, American Public Health Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Massachusetts Medical Society, National Perinatal Association, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Ted Rosenkrantz, MD  Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Ted Rosenkrantz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Society, Connecticut State Medical Society, Eastern Society for Pediatric Research, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Typical patterns of total serum bilirubin levels in neonates of different racial origins. Used with the permission of the Academy of Pediatrics.
Overview of bilirubin metabolism.
Hour-specific nomogram for total serum bilirubin and attendant risk of subsequent severe disease in term and preterm infants. Used with the permission of the Academy of Pediatrics.
Magnetic resonance image of 21-month-old with kernicterus. Area of abnormality is the symmetric high-intensity signal in the area of the globus pallidus (arrows). Courtesy of M.J. Maisels.
Neuronal changes observed in kernicterus. Courtesy of J.J. Volpe.
 
 
 
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