Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kernicterus in a neonatal foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Loynachan, Alan T et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Kentucky · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 5-day-old Thoroughbred foal was examined after showing signs of seizures and severe yellowing of the skin and eyes, a condition known as icterus. Blood tests revealed that the foal was anemic, had high levels of bilirubin (a substance that can cause yellowing), and low blood sugar. During the examination after death, all of the foal's tissues appeared yellow, and there was significant damage to brain cells and liver cells. The yellow material found in various organs was identified as bilirubin, leading to a diagnosis of kernicterus, which is brain damage caused by high bilirubin levels. Unfortunately, this case highlights a rare but serious condition in newborn foals.
Abstract
A 5-day-old Thoroughbred foal was submitted to the necropsy service at the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center. The foal had a clinical history of seizure activity and severe icterus. A complete blood count and serum chemistry analysis indicated that the foal was anemic (hematocrit, 16%), hyperbilirubinemic (45 mg/dl), and hypoglycemic. At necropsy, all tissues were discolored various shades of yellow. Microscopically, there was degeneration and necrosis of cerebral neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells; severe hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis; and deposition of amorphous golden-yellow material in the cerebellar granular cell layer, pulmonary alveoli, renal tubular epithelium, splenic trabecula, and the lamina propria of the small and large intestine. The golden-yellow material in the brain, lung, spleen, and small intestine was identified as bilirubin by histochemistry. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic findings, a diagnosis of kernicterus (bilirubin encephalopathy) was made. This report describes a rare case of equine neonatal kernicterus.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17402621/