Severe hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus: More caution is needed in newborn jaundice surveillance

Since the 1990s, there has been a re-emergence of cases of severe hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus1. The current UK incidence of bilirubin encephalopathy is 0.9/100,000 with a higher reported incidence in some countries^1,2. Three otherwise healthy newborn infants, who presented with severe hyperbilirubinaemia, including one who developed kernicterus, are reported here. Some of the current challenges in newborn jaundice surveillance are highlighted.