Kernicterus is a brain-related condition that can occur as a complication of jaundice in infants. Abnormally high levels of bilirubin -- a yellow-colored substance produced by the liver -- within the body cause the classic yellow-skin symptoms of jaundice. In cases of severe jaundice, bilirubin can build up within the brain, causing significant, permanent brain damage in affected infants. The symptoms of kernicterus are irreversible and can vary based on the severity of brain damage an affected infant sustains.
Lethargy
Lethargy, or extreme tiredness, can occur as a symptom of kernicterus in infants. An infant may sleep for long periods of time throughout the day or night and may be unresponsive to external stimuli, such as his mother's voice. A parent may also have difficulty waking an affected infant from sleep.
Poor Feeding
An infant with kernicterus may have difficulty sucking or breastfeeding as a symptom of this condition, explains Medline Plus, an online medical encyclopedia established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Poor feeding can contribute to excessive fatigue and may prevent an infant from gaining weight normally. The infant may also develop nausea or frequently vomit as symptoms of this condition.
High-Pitched Cry
An infant with kernicterus may develop a frequent, high-pitched cry as a symptom of this condition, explains Medline Plus. If an infant continually cries or is inconsolable for any reason, a parent should seek additional care from a pediatrician.
Abnormal Body Arching
Excessively high levels of bilirubin within the body can cause an affected infant to develop abnormal body arching as a symptom of kernicterus. Unusual muscle spasms cause the infant to frequently arch her back or neck backward, explains Cigna, a health insurer headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The infant may also experience involuntary muscle spasms throughout the body or a fixed upward gaze due to kernicterus.
Hearing or Speech Difficulties
Kernicterus can lead to hearing- or speech-related difficulties. An infant may develop partial or complete hearing loss, which may be accompanied by slurred or incoherent speech when the infant becomes old enough to begin talking. These symptoms are typically permanent, but generally do not worsen over time.
Developmental or Cognitive Impairment
An infant with kernicterus may experience significant developmental or cognitive impairment as a symptom of this condition, explains the Merck Manual, an online health and medical encyclopedia for health-care professionals. Affected infants and children may have difficulty learning age-appropriate information, such as numbers or letters, and may have poor motor control. These symptoms of kernicterus do not improve over time and can significantly impact how an infant interacts with her environment as she becomes older.
