Jaundice Causes and Definition

Definition

• Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.

Causes

• Physiological jaundice: occurs in newborns due to the breakdown of fetal hemoglobin
• Pathological jaundice: caused by:
  • Liver disease (e.g. hepatitis, cirrhosis)
  • Bile duct obstruction (e.g. gallstones)
  • Hemolytic anemia (e.g. sickle cell disease)
  • Inherited disorders (e.g. Gilbert's syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome)

Symptoms

• Yellowish discoloration of:
  • Skin
  • Mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, mouth)
  • Urine (dark yellow or brown)
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain (if caused by bile duct obstruction)

Diagnosis

• Physical examination
• Blood tests:
  • Bilirubin levels
  • Liver function tests (e.g. ALT, AST)
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
• Imaging tests:
  • Ultrasound
  • CT or MRI scan (if bile duct obstruction is suspected)

Treatment

• Physiological jaundice: usually resolves on its own within 1-2 weeks
• Pathological jaundice: treatment depends on underlying cause, may include:
  • Medications to reduce bilirubin production
  • Phototherapy (light therapy)
  • Blood transfusions (for hemolytic anemia)
  • Surgery (for bile duct obstruction)
  • Liver transplantation (in severe cases)

Definition

• Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood.

Causes

• Physiological jaundice occurs in newborns due to the breakdown of fetal hemoglobin.
• Pathological jaundice is caused by liver disease, bile duct obstruction, hemolytic anemia, and inherited disorders such as Gilbert's syndrome and Crigler-Najjar syndrome.
• Specific causes of pathological jaundice include:
  • Hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis
  • Gallstones
  • Sickle cell disease

Symptoms

• Yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes
• Dark yellow or brown urine
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain (if caused by bile duct obstruction)

Diagnosis

• Physical examination is required to diagnose jaundice
• Blood tests are used to measure bilirubin levels and liver function (ALT, AST)
• Complete blood count (CBC) is used to rule out other conditions
• Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT or MRI scans may be used to detect bile duct obstruction

Treatment

• Physiological jaundice usually resolves on its own within 1-2 weeks
• Pathological jaundice treatment depends on the underlying cause
• Treatment options include:
  • Medications to reduce bilirubin production
  • Phototherapy (light therapy)
  • Blood transfusions for hemolytic anemia
  • Surgery for bile duct obstruction
  • Liver transplantation in severe cases