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Questions and Answers
What is jaundice caused by?
What is jaundice caused by?
What is a common cause of pathological jaundice?
What is a common cause of pathological jaundice?
What is a symptom of jaundice?
What is a symptom of jaundice?
What is used to diagnose jaundice?
What is used to diagnose jaundice?
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How is physiological jaundice usually treated?
How is physiological jaundice usually treated?
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What may be used to treat hemolytic anemia, a cause of pathological jaundice?
What may be used to treat hemolytic anemia, a cause of pathological jaundice?
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Study Notes
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
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Description
Learn about the definition of jaundice, its causes including physiological and pathological types, and the underlying conditions that lead to it.
