Neonatal jaundice is tied to cerebral palsy in rare cases, but only when the jaundice is severe and goes untreated, leading to a brain condition called kernicterus. Most babies with jaundice do not develop cerebral palsy because the jaundice is mild and gets treated quickly.
Newborn jaundice is common. About 80 percent of babies get it in their first week. It happens when bilirubin, a yellow substance from broken down red blood cells, builds up in the blood. This turns the skin and eyes yellow. In most cases, it goes away on its own or with simple light therapy called phototherapy.
The link to cerebral palsy comes from kernicterus. This is a serious problem where high bilirubin levels cross into the brain and damage key areas. The basal ganglia, which control movement and muscle tone, can get hit hard. Damage here leads to stiff or floppy muscles, poor coordination, and types of cerebral palsy. The cerebellum, which helps with balance, and other brain parts for hearing and eye movement can also be affected. This causes hearing loss, trouble swallowing, or unusual body movements.
Studies show jaundice as a risk factor for worse cerebral palsy, especially in places with limited medical care. For example, babies with jaundice at birth had higher rates of severe motor problems, along with issues like seizures or low oxygen at birth. Untreated jaundice is listed as a key cause in low resource areas, next to infections and birth complications.
Kernicterus is rare today because doctors watch for it closely. Risk factors include premature birth, blood type mismatches between mom and baby, bruising from birth, or family history of bad jaundice. Signs in babies include extreme sleepiness, poor feeding, high pitched cries, floppy or stiff muscles, and arched back. Quick treatment with lights or blood exchange stops the damage.
Not all cerebral palsy links to jaundice. Many cases come from other issues like infections, lack of oxygen during birth, or genetic factors. MRI scans help spot brain injury patterns to confirm causes. Early checks and care prevent most jaundice related problems.
Sources:
https://www.cerebralpalsyhub.com/birth-injury/kernicterus/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12748543/
https://www.orangehealthcare.in/uncategorized/severe-infections-in-infants-leading-to-cerebral-palsy-causes-early-signs-and-prevention/
https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/medical-negligence/birth-injury-claims/kernicterus-claims/
https://www.medicoexperts.com/is-cerebral-palsy-curable/
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
https://childrenscerebralpalsy.com/news/
