Dallas
214-456-8000
Fax: 214-456-1206
Ste F4500
Plano
469-497-2505
Fax: 469-497-2511
Ste P3500
Park Cities
469-488-7000
Fax: 469-488-7001
Ste 106
Crigler-Najjar syndrome occurs when a child has high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
214-456-8000
Fax: 214-456-1206
Ste F4500
469-497-2505
Fax: 469-497-2511
Ste P3500
469-488-7000
Fax: 469-488-7001
Ste 106
Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a very rare disorder. It occurs when a child has high levels of bilirubin (a toxic byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells) in the blood. Over time, excess bilirubin in the blood can lead to excess bilirubin in the brain and nerve tissues, which causes a form of brain damage known as kernicterus.
If untreated, kernicterus can cause a variety of neurological problems, such as involuntary muscle spasms of the body, hearing problems or intellectual disability.
A gene mutation that is hereditary (passed down in families) causes Crigler-Najjar syndrome.