Questions?Kernicterus and Developmental Delays
Kernicterus occurs when a newborn develops dangerously high levels of bilirubin, a yellow substance created when red blood cells break down. In healthy babies, bilirubin is filtered out by the liver. When it builds up instead, it causes severe jaundice.
If bilirubin levels build up and are not treated quickly, the substance can enter the brain and cause permanent damage. This can interfere with areas that control movement, hearing, and muscle tone.
Doctors and hospitals are expected to monitor newborn jaundice and start treatment before bilirubin levels become dangerous. Warning signs like worsening yellowing of the skin, poor feeding, extreme tiredness, or unusual muscle tone require immediate action.
“There are clues that something is wrong. Medical negligence happens when those warning signs are ignored.”
– Beth Carter, RN, On-Staff Legal Nurse Consultant Certified
When medical teams fail to diagnose or treat rising bilirubin levels, kernicterus-related brain injury and long-term developmental challenges may occur.
We work with experienced kernicterus lawyers who assist families nationwide. So far, our legal partners have recovered over $1 billion for families facing avoidable birth injuries.
Get a free case review to find out if you may qualify for compensation.
How Kernicterus Affects a Baby’s Development
Kernicterus, also known as bilirubin encephalopathy, causes brain damage during a critical stage of early development. This damage can affect how a baby moves, hears, speaks, and learns as they grow.
When bilirubin levels rise too high, bilirubin can cross the blood-brain barrier and damage developing brain tissue. Kernicterus commonly injures the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that plays a key role in movement, muscle tone, and coordination.
Some babies may seem to do well at first. Early milestones may be met, which can delay concern. As development becomes more complex, delays often become easier to notice.
“There’s a wide range for when milestones are expected. But when a child is consistently at the far end of that range or missing milestones, it can be a red flag that something may have happened.”
— Kristin Proctor, RNC-OB, On-Staff Registered Nurse
Kernicterus can lead to specific developmental conditions, including:
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD): Kernicterus affects how sound signals travel from the ear to the brain, which can cause hearing and speech problems.
- Cerebral palsy: Damage to movement-control areas of the brain can lead to involuntary movements, abnormal muscle tone, and poor motor control.
- Global developmental delays: Brain injury affects more than one area of development, including movement, learning, and communication.
- Hearing loss: Injury to the brain’s hearing pathways can cause partial or permanent hearing loss.
- Movement disorders: Damage to motor control centers may cause stiffness, poor coordination, or uncontrolled movements.
- Seizure disorders: Severe brain injury from high bilirubin levels can increase the risk of seizures.
- Speech and language delays: Hearing loss and motor impairment can interfere with speech development and communication.
In many cases, these challenges become clearer over time as children fall behind peers in speech, coordination, or learning.
Early Signs of Kernicterus Developmental Delays
Kernicterus causes life-threatening brain injury that affects hearing, muscle tone, and movement. Some concerns show up in infancy, while developmental delays become clearer as milestones become more complex.
Kernicterus and Developmental Delays in Newborn Babies (0–6 Months)
- Back arching or unusual body posturing
- Difficulty feeding or weak suck
- Limited response to voices or loud sounds
- Reduced cooing or early vocal sounds
- Stiff or floppy muscle tone
Developmental Delays in Older Babies (6–12 Months)
- Delayed rolling, sitting, or crawling
- Limited response to their name or familiar sounds
- Poor head control
- Reduced babbling or fewer developing sounds
- Trouble reaching, grasping, or using hands together
Kernicterus Developmental Delays in Toddlers (1–3 Years)
- Balance problems or frequent falling
- Delayed speech or unclear words
- Difficulty using utensils or stacking objects
- Ongoing hearing concerns that affect communication
- Uncontrolled movements or abnormal muscle tone
Developmental Delays in Preschoolers (3–5 Years)
- Coordination difficulty with running, jumping, or stairs
- Difficulty following multi-step directions
- Fine motor challenges, such as drawing or using scissors
- Learning delays with early skills like letters, colors, or counting
- Trouble forming sentences or speaking clearly
Closely tracking milestones can help families recognize concerns early and seek support sooner.
Medical Malpractice and Kernicterus Developmental Delays
Kernicterus is a preventable brain injury caused by dangerously high bilirubin levels that are not treated in time. When newborn jaundice is missed, underestimated, or poorly managed, permanent brain damage and developmental delays can occur.
Examples of medical negligence linked to kernicterus include:
- Delaying light therapy (phototherapy) or exchange transfusion: Delay allows bilirubin in a baby’s blood to reach dangerous levels and cross the blood-brain barrier.
- Failing to use transcutaneous bilirubin screening: Skipping screening can delay detection of severe jaundice.
- Ignoring rising serum bilirubin levels: High results require urgent treatment to prevent bilirubin from entering the brain.
- Mismanaging discharge follow-up: Missed symptoms of kernicterus, such as abnormal muscle tone, poor feeding, or extreme lethargy, increase the risk of permanent injury.
- Skipping a blood test for total serum bilirubin: Without testing, rising bilirubin in the baby’s blood may go unnoticed.
When medical malpractice contributes to kernicterus, families may be eligible to pursue compensation through a kernicterus claim for treatment and long-term support.
Get a free case review now to see if you may qualify.
Types of Developmental Delays
Kernicterus causes permanent brain injury that can affect different areas of development. Some children with birth injuries have challenges in one area, while others experience delays across multiple areas as they grow.
When kernicterus affects brain development, delays may include:
- Cognitive delays: Difficulty with attention, early learning, memory, or problem-solving
- Hearing-related delays: Trouble responding to sounds or developing speech due to kernicterus-related hearing damage
- Motor delays: Problems with balance, coordination, walking, or fine motor skills like grasping objects
- Social and emotional delays: Challenges with emotional regulation, behavior, or engaging with others
- Speech and language delays: Slower progress with sounds, words, or understanding spoken language
These delays often become clearer over time, making regular developmental follow-up important.
If you’re worried about a possible kernicterus developmental delay, our registered nurses can answer your questions and help you take the next step. It’s always free to talk with our team.
“We’re here to listen without judgment — you can tell us anything and everything about what happened.”
– Beth Carter, RN, On-Staff Legal Nurse Consultant Certified
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
Diagnosing Kernicterus Developmental Delays
Kernicterus-related developmental delays are often noticed when a child begins missing milestones after severe newborn jaundice. Some effects are delayed and may not appear until later in infancy or early childhood.
Doctors review the newborn period, including bilirubin levels and how quickly treatment was started, to determine if kernicterus may be affecting development.
Common diagnostic steps may include:
- Bilirubin record review: Looking at past bilirubin levels and treatment timing
- Developmental screenings: Comparing movement, communication, and social skills to age expectations
- Hearing tests: Checking for hearing damage, a common outcome of kernicterus
- Neurological exams: Assessing muscle tone, reflexes, and coordination
- MRI imaging: Identifying brain injury patterns linked to kernicterus
- Speech and motor evaluations: Measuring language and physical development
These evaluations help doctors identify developmental delays, understand their cause, and plan the right care and support as a child grows.
Treating Developmental Delays Linked to Kernicterus
Kernicterus causes permanent brain injury, but early and ongoing therapy can help children build skills, improve function, and gain independence. Treatment plans are tailored to each child based on the areas of development affected.
A care team may recommend:
- Occupational therapy: Helps with fine motor skills, daily tasks, and coordination
- Physical therapy: Supports strength, balance, posture, and movement
- Speech and language therapy: Helps improve communication, understanding, and, when needed, feeding skills
Because therapy needs can continue for years, many families pursue compensation through kernicterus settlements to help cover ongoing treatment and care needs.
Get Legal Help for Birth Injuries
Kernicterus is a preventable brain injury that can cause lifelong developmental challenges. When medical mistakes allow severe neonatal jaundice to go untreated, families deserve clear answers and financial support.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends close bilirubin monitoring and timely treatment, such as phototherapy or exchange transfusion, to prevent bilirubin-related brain injury. When medical professionals do not follow proper guidelines, babies can be severely injured.
The Birth Injury Justice Center has in-network lawyers dedicated to helping families in all 50 states. Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or fill out our form to find out if we can help your child get the care they deserve.
Kernicterus and Developmental Delays FAQs
Yes, kernicterus causes permanent brain damage that can lead to developmental delays. Children may have delays in movement, hearing, speech, learning, or muscle control. Some delays are not obvious at first and become clearer as a child grows and begins missing milestones.
Kernicterus causes permanent brain injury that can lead to long-term effects, including:
- Hearing loss
- Movement disorders
- Seizure disorders
- Speech and language delays
If your child is experiencing kernicterus developmental delays, it could mean medical mistakes were made, and you may qualify for financial compensation. Get a free birth injury case review now.
When a baby’s bilirubin level gets too high, severe jaundice can develop. If it is not treated quickly, bilirubin can enter the brain and cause permanent damage known as kernicterus. This can lead to lifelong problems with movement, hearing, speech, and development.
Babies born early, with certain blood type incompatibilities, G6PD deficiency, or a family history of severe jaundice may face a higher risk when bilirubin levels rise.
Researchers have looked at whether severe jaundice or bilirubin issues may be associated with a higher chance of an autism diagnosis, but the evidence is not clear. Kernicterus mainly leads to movement, hearing, and other developmental problems due to brain injury.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat with our team if you’re concerned about your child’s long-term health.
