Crigler-Najjar syndrome is an inherited disorder in which bilirubin (a substance made by the liver) cannot be changed into its water-soluble form, bilirubin glucuronide. This causes jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin and eyes) and organ malfunctions.

Crigler-Najjar syndrome is caused by an abnormal gene. The gene fails to make a working enzyme (bilirubin glucuronyltransferase). This enzyme, in its normal (working ) form, is capable of converting bilirubin into a water-soluble (and therefore easily excreted) form. As a result, bilirubin can build up in the body, and can damage the brain and other organs.

The syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This means that the child must get the defective gene from both parents to develop the severe form of the condition. Parents who are carriers (with just one defective gene) have about half the enzyme activity of a normal adult.

Infants who inherit the trait from both parents (this is called being homozygous for the abnormal gene) develop severe jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) beginning a few days after birth. If these infants are not treated, they may develop kernicterus, which is bilirubin toxicity of the brain and can be fatal.

In such infants, the jaundice will persist into adult life and may require daily treatment. The constantly elevated levels of bilirubin may eventually produce an adult form of kernicterus despite treatment. If left untreated, this severe infant-onset form of the disease will lead to death in childhood.

Milder forms of the disease (type II) are not associated with severe toxicity, liver damage, or changes in thinking during childhood. Affected individuals still have jaundice, but they have fewer symptoms and less organ damage.

• A family history of Crigler-Najjar syndrome
• Yellow skin (jaundice) and yellow color of the whites of the eyes (icterus), which begin on the 2nd or 3rd day of life and progressively worsens
• Jaundice that persists beyond 2 weeks without an obvious cause
• Confusion and changes in thinking (resulting from brain toxicity of bilirubin)

Tests used to evaluate the liver function include:

• Unconjugated (unbound) bilirubin in blood (would be highly elevated)
• Total bilirubin level (would be high)
• Conjugated (bound) bilirubin (would be low to absent)
• Liver biopsy, enzyme assay for low or absent Glucuronyl transferase activity
• A family history of Crigler-Najjar syndrome

Phototherapy (light treatment) is needed on an ongoing basis throughout life. In infants this is done using bilirubin lights (bili or 'blue' lights). Phototherapy becomes less successful after 4 years because thickened skin blocks the light.

Liver transplantation has been used successfully for some people with type I disease.

Affected individuals who reach adulthood will develop kernicterus despite ongoing treatment. The life expectancy for type I disease has been extended from death in childhood to people now living to at least age 30.

Possible complications include:

• Kernicterus
• Chronic yellow skin/eyes

Seek genetic counseling if you are planning to have children and have a family history of Crigler-Najjar.

Call your health care provider if you or your newborn infant has prolonged jaundice.

Genetic counseling is recommended for prospective parents with a family history of Crigler-Najjar syndrome. People who carry the gene can be recognized by blood testing.