kernicterus

K5E1R1N1I1C3T1E1R1U1S1
UK/kɜːˈnɪktəɹəs/US/kɝˈnɪktəɹəs/

noun

Damage to the brain centres of infants caused by increased levels of unconjugated-indirect bilirubin which is free (not bound to albumin).

Similar
bilirubinencephalopathy
OriginGerman Kernikterus →
RareScrabble 17
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Meanings

nounkernicterus (uncountable)

alternative Kernikterus · alternative kernikterus

  1. uncountablemedicineDamage to the brain centres of infants caused by increased levels of unconjugated-indirect bilirubin which is free (not bound to albumin).

    Synonyms: bilirubinencephalopathy

Synonyms & antonyms

nounDamage to the brain centres of infants caused by increased levels of unconjugated-indirect bilirubin which is free (not bound to albumin).

Similar
bilirubinencephalopathy

Origin

  1. GermanKernikterus
  2. Englishkernicterus

Borrowed from German Kernikterus, from Kern (“nucleus”) + Ikterus (“icterus, jaundice”).

More words from German

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish kernikterus
  • kernikterusinfant brain damage caused by increased levels of unconjugated-indirect free bilirubin
German Kernikterus, Bilirubinenzephalopathie
  • Kernikterusinfant brain damage caused by increased levels of unconjugated-indirect free bilirubin
  • Bilirubinenzephalopathieinfant brain damage caused by increased levels of unconjugated-indirect free bilirubin
Cite this entry
APA

kernicterus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kernicterus

MLA

“kernicterus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kernicterus. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kernicterus,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kernicterus.

Source: kernicterus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.