I am reading your thoughts and have my own suspicions also.
I was having my own concerns regarding my son's elevated bilirubin levels at birth. First day 10.5, 12.3, 13.8. He is currently turning 6 years old and has substantial speech problems, along with forgetfulness and trouble understanding simple conversations.
I started researching this topic and found this site with your comments. I was
not even told my the doctors that high bilirubin levels can cause Mental Retardation from Mild to Severe. My son definitely struggles and is currently in Special Ed. Kindergarten for speech, OT etc.
Karinof CA6:16PM January 07, 2013
surfing the net I found this article although it's been recommended to not surf the net to find information because it may not always be correct. i find it disturbing that there are so many other parents out there who have children with developmental delays who also all happened to have high bilirubin at birth. my baby girl literally looked like a pumpkin she was so orange. now she's 21 months and needs PT, OT and ST and there is concern about hearing. she's seen geneticist, neurologist, GI doctor, pediatricians, multiple specialist and my husband and i asked every single one of them if her jaudice could be linked to her delays and they all said NO and then i find this article....i'm just heartbroken!!!!
kimof NC8:55AM June 18, 2011
My son is 4 years old and was diagnosed with Aspergers a year ago. He also was born 4weeks early and underwent phototherapy in the NICU and we had to bring home a phototherapy bed that he had to stay in for 22 hours per day. I do believe there is a link between Autism and Jaundice but why do we need a reason that our children have Autism? I don't define my son as an 'autistic child'. To me he's just Keon. My beautiful son who loves movies and dinosaurs. If there was a reason to why our kids have autism would we love them any more or less? Nope!! So stop wondering 'why me? why my child', and say "ok this is our life. How do I make it better for my baby?'....You aren't alone :)
Renita T.of TN4:10PM December 30, 2010
My son also had to be placed into ICU after high jaundice was extremley high. He is 8 years old now and has had developmental delay problems all his life. He is now in 3rd grade on a IEP and its a struggle everyday at home and at school. To all parents, please be dilligent in addressing your concerns with your Pediatrician about high bilirubin levels. My other two children both had jaundice and were aggressively addressed it from birth. Both younger children show no signs of developmental problems. My wife and I are desperate for any kind of answer about a possible link and we hope this study can lead to further information.
Mike Dof IL8:11PM November 17, 2010
My son's baby records show he was jaundiced but they sent him home anyway. When we returned for his check-up a few days later, his bilirubin was so high that he was re-admitted to the hospital for the photo-therapy and then sent home with the bili-blanket. We had to bring him back to the hospital every day for 2 weeks to check his levels. He was my second son and just had his 13th birthday yesterday. So, all the markers listed above fit him.
I too am upset that he was released at birth knowing that he had jaundice.
Ajof MN5:38PM October 25, 2010
I had jaundice when I was born, but I don't have autism. . .
Lauraof NY3:23PM October 21, 2010
My wife has been very diligent on this since my son was born 10 days ago on Oct. 8th. We've been going to have his bilirubin checked everyday since he was born. It hasn't gone over the level where they recommend phototherapy, but we have been watching it closely.
In the house, he doesn't look yellow. At the pediatrician's office, you can REALLY tell.
praying for the bestof NY1:19PM October 18, 2010
My son had a high bilirubin count while still in the hospital after he was born. We were given a "bili blanket" to wrap him in which gave off light for him to heal. He was diagnosed with Asperger's, a mild form of Autism at age 9, but we knew it was the case by the time he was 4. I am experiencing a myriad of emotions right now reading this, possibly having a cause for my son's very frustrating disorder.
Leahof MN5:55PM October 14, 2010
My son had pelonged nurcing juneice for several months. I had to stop nurcing to see if that cleared up the jaundice. He had junedice for a long time and now he is dianoiced with autism. If anyone is doing a study i would be interested in see the reaults.
Vickieof NC6:56PM October 13, 2010
I agree with Chris about the Vitamin D Theory of Autism - it makes perfect sense.
Dr. Cannell, the originator of the Vitamin D Theory of Autism, has recently published a supplemental paper to his original theory. For those interested:
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Karin of CA 6:16PM January 07, 2013
kim of NC 8:55AM June 18, 2011
Renita T. of TN 4:10PM December 30, 2010
Mike D of IL 8:11PM November 17, 2010
Aj of MN 5:38PM October 25, 2010
Laura of NY 3:23PM October 21, 2010
praying for the best of NY 1:19PM October 18, 2010
Leah of MN 5:55PM October 14, 2010
Vickie of NC 6:56PM October 13, 2010
justice4vitaminD of CA 2:30PM October 13, 2010