Jaundice

1. Jaundice
Definition of Jaundice
Jaundice is a medical disorder that causes the skin to turn yellow, as well as
the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes. This is caused by an
increase in bilirubin levels. Bilirubin is a yellow-orange pigment that forms in
the bloodstream as a waste product after iron has been eliminated. A high
level of bilirubin causes the colour to turn brown.
Jaundice is caused by liver inflammation or a clogged bile duct. Jaundice is
caused by a variety of additional circumstances. It's called icterus in medical
jargon. Neonatal jaundice is a type of jaundice that appears more frequently
in newborn babies.
Table of Content
1. Definition of Jaundice
2. Types of Jaundice
3. Symptoms of Jaundice
4. Factors Causing Jaundice
5. Jaundice: Diagnosis
6. Things to Remember
7. Sample Questions

2. The newborn liver is not fully matured and is less effective at processing
bilirubin from the blood, resulting in neonatal jaundice.
The liver's primary role is to filter waste from the circulation. As bilirubin
reaches the liver, it is converted to conjugated bilirubin by molecules adhering
to it. Bile is a digestive juice produced by the liver under normal
circumstances. The conjugated bilirubin enters the body through the bile and
then departs. The bilirubin is the cause of the brown faeces.
Hyperbilirubinemia is a disorder in which bilirubin is spilled into the
surrounding tissues, resulting in a yellow colour in the skin and eyes.
Types of Jaundice
There are three different types of jaundice. The underlying cause of jaundice
determines how to treat it. Treatments, in other words, focus on the symptoms
rather than the disease itself.
Hepatocellular Jaundice is a type of jaundice that happens when the liver is
damaged or injured. Infections, excessive alcohol intake, and parasite
infections are all common causes of liver impairment.
 Treatment: Hepatocellular jaundice can be treated with either a liver
transplant or by mending the liver. The goal of treatment is to keep the
harm from getting worse.
Hemolytic Jaundice is caused by the rapid breakdown of erythrocytes, or
red blood cells, resulting in the accumulation of excess bilirubin. Infectious
disorders such as malaria, anaemia, and others cause this.
 Treatment: Addressing the exact cause of the condition is the only
treatment.
When bilirubin is clogged and cannot be expelled from the liver, it
causes Obstructive jaundice.
 Treatment: The bile duct system is cleared as well as the blockage is
removed during surgery. The gallbladder or a portion of the bile duct
system may be removed during surgery.

3. Symptoms of Jaundice
The following are the most common signs of jaundice:
 The colour of the skin and sclerae turns yellow.
 The colour of the urine also turns to yellow.
 Excessive itchiness of the skin
In the early stages of jaundice, the following signs may be observed:
 Drowsiness,
 Agitation, and confusion
 Fever
 Abdominal pain

4.  Vomiting
 Weight loss
Within one or two days, the skin and sclera of the eyes become yellow. It is
always a good idea to push lightly on the baby's chin to see if he or she is
suffering from jaundice. If the colour shifts from blue to yellow for a few
seconds, the youngster may be suffering from jaundice.
Additional symptoms of jaundice that can be seen in babies include:
 Loud crying
 Skin tone change
 Poor eating
 Urine colour turns to yellow
 Sleepiness and lethargy
Symptoms of Jaundice in Infants
Jaundice is a common health problem that affects newborns. Jaundice affects
about 60% of babies, which increases the number of premature births before
37 weeks of pregnancy. The signs of jaundice usually appear within 72 hours
following delivery.

5. In contrast to adults, it is difficult to diagnose symptoms in infants due to the
early phases of body development. To check for jaundice, perform a physical
examination on the body, such as lightly pressing on the chin.
Within two weeks, the symptoms of jaundice normally go away on their own
without the need for medication. In some circumstances, abnormal bilirubin
levels are treated by a blood transfusion or phototherapy. Kernicterus, a rare
type of persistent brain injury, increases the risk of any treatment in babies.
Factors causing Jaundice
The most common cause of jaundice is bilirubin buildup or a problem with the
liver's ability to filter bilirubin. Bilirubin is deposited in tissues as a result of
this.
The following are the underlying factors:
 Acute liver inflammation affects the liver's capacity to conjugate and
secrete bilirubin, resulting in an increase in bilirubin levels.
 Bile Duct Inflammation: The inflammation is caused by a blockage in the
secretion of bile and the elimination of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice.
 Obstruction of the Bile Duct: In this scenario, the liver is unable to
dispose of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice.
 Hemolytic Anemia is caused by an increase in the production of bilirubin
as a result of uncontrolled red blood cell formation.
 Gilbert's Syndrome is a hereditary disorder in which enzymes are unable
to handle bile excretion.
 Cholestasis is a disorder in which the flow of bile from the liver is
disrupted. Due to the restriction of transit, the conjugated bilirubin in the
bile lingers in the liver rather than being expelled.
Rare Conditions That Produce Jaundice
Crigler-Najjar Syndrome is a hereditary disorder in which the enzyme
responsible for bilirubin processing is impaired.

6. Dubin-Johnson Syndrome is an inherited form of persistent jaundice that
prevents conjugated bilirubin from being secreted by liver cells.
Pseudojaundice is a harmless form of jaundice caused by high beta-carotene
levels. This is caused by consuming too much carrot, pumpkin, or melon.
Jaundice Diagnosis
The most basic technique of detecting jaundice is to measure bilirubin levels.
Examining the belly, feeling for tumours, and testing the firmness of the liver
are all part of the physical examination.
To detect jaundice, a variety of tests can be performed to assess the state of
the liver and the quantity of bilirubin.
Bilirubin Test: Hemolytic anaemia is caused by a difference in the levels of
unconjugated bilirubin relative to conjugated bilirubin.
Full Blood Count: This gives you a detailed report on the number of RBCs,
WBCs, and Platelets in your blood.
Tests for hepatitis A, B, and C: This covers a wide range of liver functions.
Things to Remember based on Jaundice
A buildup of bilirubin, a waste substance, in the blood causes jaundice.
Jaundice can be caused by an inflamed liver or a clogged bile duct, as well as
other underlying problems.
Symptoms of jaundice include a yellowish tinge to the skin and whites of
eyes, black urine, itching, etc.
A variety of tests may be used to diagnose jaundice, such as Bilirubin test,
Full Blood Work-up, Hepatitis Test, etc.
Sample Questions based on Jaundice
Ques: What is the severity of jaundice in adults?
Ans. Increased levels of bilirubin, a chemical created when bile is broken
down, induce jaundice, which causes itching all over the body. In adults, there

7. are only a few minor differences in symptoms. Jaundice is more common in
persons with serious liver illness. Enlarged breasts, reduced testes, and pubic
hair are common in men. Apart from jaundice, liver illness can be caused by a
variety of different reasons.
Ques: What should you avoid if you have jaundice? (2 marks)
Ans. Some meals and drinks to avoid if you have jaundice are listed below:
 Alcohol
 Fatty and Fried Foods
 Refined sugars and Carbohydrates
 Seafood
 Red meat
 Canned foods
 Salt and excessive iron
Ques. What are the different types of Jaundice? (3 marks)
Ans. There are three different types of jaundice.
 Hepatocellular Jaundice occurs when the liver is damaged or injured. It
can be caused by infections, excessive alcohol consumption and
parasitic infection.
 Hemolytic Jaundice is caused by the rapid breakdown of erythrocytes, or
red blood cells, resulting in the accumulation of excess bilirubin. It can
be caused by infectious disorders such as malaria, anaemia, etc.
 Obstructive Jaundice is caused when bilirubin clogs the system and
cannot be expelled by the liver. It can be treated through clearing the
bile duct system (removing the gallbladder).
Ques. Name any five factors that cause Jaundice. (5 marks)
Ans. Any of the given factors can cause jaundice:

8.  Acute liver inflammation affecting the liver's capacity to conjugate and
secrete bilirubin, resulting in an increase in bilirubin levels.
 Bile Duct Inflammation: Caused by a blockage in the secretion of bile
and elimination of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice.
 Obstruction of the Bile Duct: In this scenario, the liver is unable to
dispose of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice.
 Hemolytic Anemia is caused by an increase in the production of
bilirubin as a result of uncontrolled red blood cell formation.
 Gilbert's Syndrome is a hereditary disorder in which enzymes are unable
to handle bile excretion.
 Cholestasis is a disorder in which the flow of bile from the liver is
disrupted. Due to the restriction of transit, the conjugated bilirubin in the
bile lingers in the liver rather than being expelled.