Jaundice

New born baby being treated for jaundice

Jaundice (also called icterus) is when the skin and the whites of the eyes become a yellow color. People with jaundice have a problem with their liver, which stops it from removing dead red blood cells properly. These blood cells contain a chemical called bilirubin. Bilirubin causes the yellow coloring of the skin. Jaundice is common in newly born babies. It usually starts the second day after birth.

Jaundice can also be caused by other diseases, like malaria, hepatitis, or gallstones.

Jaundice is the most common of all liver problems. The yellow colour of the skin and mucous membranes happens because of an increase in the bile pigment, bilirubin, in the blood.

The bile, made by the liver, is a vital digestive fluid needed for proper nutrition. It also stops decaying changes in food. If the bile is stopped from entering the intestines there is an increase in gases and other products. Normally, the production of bile and its flow is constant.

Types of Jaundice

There are three types of jaundice:

• haemolytic jaundice - caused by destruction of red blood cells. This causes increased bilirubin formation and anaemia
• obstructive jaundice - caused by a blockage in the pathway where bilirubin is made in the liver cells and where bile goes into the duodenum
• hepatocellular jaundice - caused by damage to liver cells. The damage could be from a viral infection or toxic drugs.

Yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes happens in all types of jaundice.

Symptoms

Yellow eyes caused by jaundice from hepatitis

The symptoms of jaundice are:

• extreme weakness
• headache
• fever
• loss of appetite
• tiredness
• severe constipation
• nausea
• yellow coloration of the eyes, tongue, skin and urine.
• dull pain in the liver region.
• Obstructive jaundice may also cause intense itching.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of jaundice typically involves:

• A physical examination to assess the extent of yellowing and look for signs of liver disease
• Blood tests to measure bilirubin levels and determine the cause of jaundice
• Imaging studies, such as ultrasound or CT scan, to evaluate the liver and bile ducts
• Liver function tests to assess the overall health of the liver

Treatment

Treatment for jaundice depends on the underlying cause. Some possible treatments include:

• Medication: For infections or liver diseases, medications may be prescribed to manage the underlying condition.
• Surgery: In cases of blocked bile ducts, surgery may be necessary to remove the obstruction, such as gallstones or tumors.
• Phototherapy: For newborns with jaundice, exposure to a special type of light helps break down bilirubin in the skin, making it easier to eliminate from the body.
• Blood transfusion: In severe cases of anemia or inherited disorders, a blood transfusion may be necessary to replace damaged red blood cells.

See also

• Hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Gallstones
• Hemolytic anemia

Jaundice Resources
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