Bilirubin Encephalopathy (BE)

Bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) which is also known as kernicterus is a neurological condition which affects newborns or infants with jaundice. This rare condition is caused by high levels of bilirubin, which is a naturally occurring yellow pigment, that destroys old red blood cells. This then leads to jaundice or the yellow pigmentation of the skin and the accumulation of bilirubin in the central nervous system’s gray matter which may lead to brain damage and hearing loss. In worst cases, the neurological damage may cause death.