Bilirubin-induced neurological damage

Abstract

The incidence of the neurological damage of due to severe neonatal jaundice is increasing mainly due to early discharge from the hospital. However the molecular mechanisms at the basis of the neurological damage are still largely unknown. We here summarize what is known and what is not yet known on how bilirubin may cause cellular damage to selective regions of the brain. This may hopefully help to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for a more effective handling of this invalidating condition.

Keywords::

• jaundice
• early discharge neurological damage

Declaration of interest: This work was supported in part by a Telethon grant GGP10051 and by an in-house grant from the Italian Liver Foundation. We thank for the critical reading of the text by all the fellows working at the Centro Studi Fegato.