The "bronze baby" syndrome: postmortem data.

The case history and autopsy findings of an infant with the "bronze baby" syndrome are presented. These findings substantiate that kernicterus occurs in term infants receiving phototherapy for concentrations of serum indirect bilirubin below 20 mg/dl. The findings at autopsy suggest that the photodecomposed pigmented products of bilirubin are unable to pass the blood-brain barrier. The need for establishing the cause of jaundice prior to initiation of phototherapy is stressed.