HYPERBILIRUBINEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY Meaning and
Definition
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Hyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy refers to a medical condition primarily affecting newborns, characterized by the buildup of bilirubin pigment in the blood, leading to its accumulation in the brain. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. In healthy individuals, it is metabolized and eliminated by the liver. However, in hyperbilirubinemia, the liver may not be able to process bilirubin efficiently, resulting in its excessive levels.
When bilirubin crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the brain tissue, it can cause various neurological symptoms, collectively known as encephalopathy. These manifestations include lethargy, poor feeding, high-pitched cry, muscle tone abnormalities, altered sleep patterns, and in severe cases, seizures, coma, and potentially irreversible brain damage.
Hyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy can occur due to various underlying conditions, such as ABO or Rh incompatibility between the baby and mother, certain enzyme deficiencies, prematurity, or impaired liver function. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial to prevent irreversible neurological damage. The primary treatment for hyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy is phototherapy, which involves exposing the baby's skin to specific wavelengths of light to help convert bilirubin into a form that can be more easily excreted by the body.
In severe cases, when phototherapy alone is insufficient, other treatment options may include exchange transfusion, where the baby's blood is partially replaced with donor blood to reduce bilirubin levels, or pharmacological agents that enhance bilirubin excretion. Close monitoring and collaboration between pediatricians, neonatologists, and other healthcare professionals are vital to effectively manage hyper
Common Misspellings for HYPERBILIRUBINEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
- gyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- byperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- nyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- jyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- uyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- yyperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- htperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hgperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hhperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- huperbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- h7perbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- h6perbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hyoerbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hylerbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hy-erbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hy0erbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hypwrbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hypsrbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hypdrbilirubinemic encephalopathy
- hyprrbilirubinemic encephalopathy
Etymology of HYPERBILIRUBINEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
The word "Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathy" is derived from several terms:
1. Hyperbilirubinemia: The term "hyperbilirubinemia" comes from the combination of two components - "hyper", meaning excessive or above normal, and "bilirubinemia", which refers to the presence of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. When there is an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood, it can lead to jaundice, a condition characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes.
2. Encephalopathy: The term "encephalopathy" is derived from two Greek words, "encephalon" meaning brain, and "pathos" meaning disorder or disease.
