MeSH Browser

MeSH Heading: Kernicterus
Tree Number(s): C10.228.140.163.480; C15.378.295.502; C16.614.304.502; C18.452.132.480; C20.306.502; C23.550.429.750
Unique ID: D007647
RDF Unique Identifier: http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D007647
Scope Note: A term used pathologically to describe BILIRUBIN staining of the BASAL GANGLIA; BRAIN STEM; and CEREBELLUM and clinically to describe a syndrome associated with HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA. Clinical features include athetosis, MUSCLE SPASTICITY or hypotonia, impaired vertical gaze, and DEAFNESS. Nonconjugated bilirubin enters the brain and acts as a neurotoxin, often in association with conditions that impair the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER (e.g., SEPSIS). This condition occurs primarily in neonates (INFANT, NEWBORN), but may rarely occur in adults. (Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p613)
Entry Term(s): Bilirubin Encephalopathy; Encephalopathy, Bilirubin; Encephalopathy, Hyperbilirubinemic; Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathy
NLM Classification #: WL 362
Date Established: 1966/01/01
Date of Entry: 1999/01/01
Revision Date: 2013/07/09

Allowable Qualifiers: blood (BL)

cerebrospinal fluid (CF)

chemically induced (CI)

classification (CL)

complications (CO)

diagnosis (DI)

diagnostic imaging (DG)

diet therapy (DH)

drug therapy (DT)

economics (EC)

embryology (EM)

enzymology (EN)

epidemiology (EP)

ethnology (EH)

etiology (ET)

genetics (GE)

history (HI)

immunology (IM)

metabolism (ME)

microbiology (MI)

mortality (MO)

nursing (NU)

parasitology (PS)

pathology (PA)

physiopathology (PP)

prevention & control (PC)

psychology (PX)

radiotherapy (RT)

rehabilitation (RH)

surgery (SU)

therapy (TH)

urine (UR)

veterinary (VE)

virology (VI)

Concept UI: M0011977
Scope Note: A term used pathologically to describe BILIRUBIN staining of the BASAL GANGLIA; BRAIN STEM; and CEREBELLUM and clinically to describe a syndrome associated with HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA. Clinical features include athetosis, MUSCLE SPASTICITY or hypotonia, impaired vertical gaze, and DEAFNESS. Nonconjugated bilirubin enters the brain and acts as a neurotoxin, often in association with conditions that impair the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER (e.g., SEPSIS). This condition occurs primarily in neonates (INFANT, NEWBORN), but may rarely occur in adults. (Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p613)
Terms: Kernicterus Preferred Term
Term UI T022970
Date01/01/1999
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID; Hyperbilirubinemic Encephalopathy
Term UI T368843
Date11/03/1999
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2000); Encephalopathy, Bilirubin
Term UI T368844
Date11/03/1999
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2000); Encephalopathy, Hyperbilirubinemic
Term UI T368845
Date11/03/1999
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2000); Bilirubin Encephalopathy
Term UI T022971
Date02/19/1991
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID

Kernicterus MeSH Descriptor Data 2025