Reversibility of acute intermediate phase bilirubin encephalopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To show the potential for reversing acute intermediate to advanced phase bilirubin encephalopathy.


METHODS
Case studies.


RESULTS
Six extremely jaundiced infants had symptoms of intermediate to advanced phase acute bilirubin encephalopathy. The infants were treated aggressively. Two patients had brain magnetic resonance imaging showing increased signals in the globus pallidus. On follow-up, all infants are neurologically normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Intermediate-to-advanced stage acute bilirubin encephalopathy may occasionally be reversible. These cases provide a strong argument in favour of rapid and aggressive intervention in infants presenting with extreme jaundice and neurological symptoms.
Hansen
Thor Willy Ruud
TW
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. t.w.r.hansen@medisin.uio.no
Nietsch
Lutz
L
Norman
Elisabeth
E
Bjerre
Jesper Vandborg
JV
Hascoet
Jean-Michel
JM
Mreihil
Khalaf
K
Ebbesen
Finn
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D005260:Female; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000628:therapy*; D007647:Kernicterus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D001663:Bilirubin