Jaundice: Definition, Causes, and Types

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of jaundice?

  • Yellow discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membrane due to elevation of bilirubin levels (correct)
  • Blue discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen
  • Red discoloration of the skin due to increased iron levels
  • Green discoloration of the skin due to copper accumulation

At what bilirubin level do jaundice symptoms become noticeable?

  • 1.0 to 2.0 mg/dL
  • 2.0 to 3.0 mg/dL
  • 3.0 to 5.0 mg/dL (correct)
  • 5.0 to 7.0 mg/dL

Which type of jaundice is caused by excessive breakdown of red blood cells?

  • Post-hepatic
  • Pre-hepatic (correct)
  • Hepatic
  • Cholestatic

What is another term for pre-hepatic jaundice?

<p>Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes pre-hepatic jaundice from other types regarding bilirubin levels?

<p>Bilirubin levels rarely exceed 5.0 mg/dL (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a clinical sign of cholestasis?

<p>Jaundice (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of pathological cholestasis?

<p>Bile plugs in dilated canaliculi (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tests can suggest cholestasis?

<p>Color change in skin/sclerae/stool/urine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in biochemical cholestasis?

<p>Increased serum alkaline phosphatase (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a treatment option for cholestasis?

<p>Phototherapy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these mechanisms does NOT relate to cholestasis?

<p>Immune response involving lymphocytes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by an increase in both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin?

<p>Hepatic jaundice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of posthepatic jaundice?

<p>Gallstones (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which syndrome is a hepatic cause of jaundice that results in elevations in conjugated bilirubin?

<p>Rotor syndrome (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of jaundice involves clay-colored stool?

<p>Posthepatic jaundice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does neonatal jaundice typically appear?

<p>2-5 days after birth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic method is NOT typically used for diagnosing jaundice?

<p>X-ray (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Jaundice

  • Yellow discoloration of skin, eyes, and mucous membrane due to elevated bilirubin levels
  • Bilirubin levels must reach 3.0-5.0 mg/dL to cause jaundice

Types of Jaundice

  • Pre-hepatic (Hemolytic Jaundice)
    • Caused by excessive breakdown of RBCs
    • Production of unconjugated bilirubin more than liver can handle
    • Rarely exceeds 5.0 mg/dL
    • Also known as unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia
  • Hepatic Jaundice
    • Caused by intrinsic liver defect or disease
    • Disorders of bilirubin metabolism and transport defects
    • Both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin increase
  • Post-hepatic (Obstructive, Cholestatic) Jaundice
    • Results from biliary obstructive disease
    • Physical obstructions (gallstones or tumors) prevent flow of conjugated bilirubin into bile canaliculi
    • Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia
    • Clay color stool

Physiological Jaundice

  • Neonatal Jaundice
    • Appears 2-5 days after birth
    • Excessive destruction of RBCs and hepatic inability

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Liver biopsy

Cholestasis

  • Impaired bile formation (hepatocytes)
  • Impaired bile flow (bile ducts/ductules)
  • Consequences: build up in blood of substances normally excreted in bile (bilirubin, bile acids)

Consequences of Cholestasis

  • Biochemical Cholestasis
    • Increased serum bilirubin
    • Increased serum alkaline phosphatase
  • Clinical Cholestasis
    • Jaundice
    • Dark urine/clay-colored feces
    • Pruritus
  • Pathological Cholestasis
    • Bile plugs in dilated canaliculi
    • Increased bile pigment in hepatocytes
    • Bile lakes
    • Biliary infection

Treatment

  • Phototherapy
  • Exposure of skin to white light for photo-isomerization of bilirubin to water-soluble form that can be excreted

Screening Tests

  • Color change in skin/sclerae/stool/urine
  • Laboratory biochemical tests (Alk Phos, Bilirubin)

Diagnostic Tests

  • Liver biopsy
  • Indirect visualization of dilated bile ducts and/or masses compressing bile ducts/stones (CT, U/S)

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