Hello Ikram,

Thanks for posting your query.

Viral hepatitis in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may be associated with complications such as severe anemia, hemolysis, renal failure, hepatic encephalopathy etc. If your child is G6PD deficient then most important for him is prevention.

This includes avoidance of the drugs and foods that cause hemolysis. Vaccination against some common pathogens (e.g. hepatitis A and hepatitis B) may prevent infection-induced attacks. Hence he can be given the hepatitis B vaccine and the exact dosing schedule can be discussed with his pediatrician. Please discuss it with his pediatrician before going in for any vaccine.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

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Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

It is good that the levels of bilirubin are dropping.

Kernicterus is a specific type of brain damage that can result when jaundice is not treated properly.

The first line of management is by Phototherapy which was followed in your baby's case.

There are three phases of kernicterus.

Phase 1 occurs in the first few days of life. There is reduced alertness, hypotonia and poor feeding.

Phase 2 is variable in onset and duration.

Phase 3 occurs in children over a week old and is characterised by hypotonia.

Kernicterus usually develops in the first week of life, but may be seen up until the third week.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Regards,

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