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Glite Dictionary
kernicterus

kernicterus

1 9.9
A rare brain injury in newborn babies caused by very high levels of yellow pigment in the blood
  • noun
  • /ˌkɜrnɪkˈtɛrəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : kernicterus
  • The baby was diagnosed with kernicterus shortly after birth.
  • kernicterus-prevention campaign
  • Kernicterus prevention
  • case of kernicterus

Examples

  • Doctors are concerned about the risk of kernicterus in newborns.

  • Cases of kernicterus have become rare due to better screening and management of bilirubin levels in infants.

  • Prompt treatment of newborn jaundice is vital to prevent complications like kernicterus.

  • The baby was diagnosed with kernicterus after showing signs of severe jaundice and neurological damage.

  • When bilirubin builds up to toxic levels, kernicterus can develop in newborns, leading to serious brain damage.

  • The pediatrician explained that kernicterus occurs when high levels of bilirubin accumulate in the brain tissue.

  • After experiencing jaundice, the baby was diagnosed with kernicterus, which caused yellow staining in his brain.

How Severe

kernicterus
  • Specialized
1 9.9
jaundice of the newborn
  • Specialized
4.1

Surface Forms

kernicterus singular
kernicteri plural

Morphology

kernicterus = kern + icterus (opaque) = kern + icterus

A specialized medical compound whose components are themselves rare or technical, so a typical learner cannot reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Kernicterus comes from two parts: kern, a German word like the English word kernel that means 'core', and icterus, a medical word that means 'jaundice' or 'yellowing'. So, kernicterus means 'yellowing of the brain core', which explains why it names the brain damage in newborns caused by too much bilirubin.