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Learn More About Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition of increased bilirubin levels in the blood. These levels affect the skin, conjunctival membranes of the eyes, and other mucous membranes to turn yellow.

The breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body produces bilirubin. RBCs break down, releasing hemoglobin into the bloodstream, dividing and undergoing chemical modifications to become bilirubin.

Bilirubin is usually excreted in the form of bile by the liver, and the bile ducts transfer the bile to the small intestine. Jaundice arises when the amount of bilirubin released exceeds the liver’s excretion capability.

It’s essential to remember that jaundice is a sign of an underlying blood or liver condition, not a disease by itself. However, getting it treated on time is essential to avoid future complications.

Jaundice Causes

Jaundice is often confused with a disease. It is a sign of an underlying health condition related to the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. It occurs when the body produces too much bilirubin.

Some causes of jaundice include:

There are an excessive number of red blood cells dying or breaking down in the liver.
The liver is overloaded or injured.
The liver’s bilirubin is unable to pass through the digestive tract properly.

Some health conditions that can cause jaundice:

Viral liver infections (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E) or a parasite.
Exposure to poisons or certain medicines (such as an overdose of acetaminophen).
Congenital disabilities or illnesses that make it difficult for the body to break down bilirubin can occur after birth (such as Gilbert syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, or Crigler-Najjar syndrome).
Chronic liver diseases
The bile duct gets blocked due to gallbladder stones and diseases.
Disorders of the blood
Pancreatic cancer
Due to the pressure in the belly area during pregnancy, bile builds up in the gallbladder (jaundice of pregnancy).

Jaundice Symptoms

The following symptoms characterize jaundice:

A yellow tinge can be seen on the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes.
Stool that is light in colour
Dark urine
Itching
Loss of appetite
Accumulation of fluid causes swelling in the abdomen

In neonates, the yellowish colour can occur at the head and spread down the body to the toes.

The following symptoms accompany jaundice:

Tiredness
Stomach pain
Weight loss
Nausea and vomiting
Fever

Types of Jaundice

Jaundice can be divided into three types:

Pre hepatic: Pre-hepatic jaundice is caused by disorders that increase the rate of hemolysis in your blood. Red blood cells are broken down in this process, releasing hemoglobin and turning it into bilirubin.
Hepatic: Hepatic jaundice occurs when the liver tissue is scarred, damaged, or dysfunctional (cirrhosis). It reduces its ability to remove bilirubin from your blood.
Posthepatic: Post-hepatic, or obstructive jaundice, occurs when bilirubin cannot effectively drain into the bile ducts or digestive tract due to a blockage.

Jaundice in Newborns Babies

Jaundice is a common health problem in neonates.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 60% of babies have jaundice, with symptoms appearing within 48 hours of birth. When the infant is 3–5 days old, it should be examined by a doctor or nurse. It is because bilirubin levels usually are highest at this time.

The red blood cells in an infant’s body are constantly broken down and replenished, producing more bilirubin. Furthermore, newborns’ livers are less developed and hence less effective at filtering bilirubin from the body.

Symptoms will usually diminish on their own in the majority of cases. Infants with exceptionally high levels of bilirubin, on the other hand, will require either a blood transfusion or phototherapy.

Causes of Jaundice in Newborn Babies

Although jaundice in babies is common and usually resolves without treatment, it can sometimes be caused by underlying medical conditions. These include:

Dysfunctional thyroid gland
When the blood of a mother and the baby combine but don’t match, resulting in blood group incompatibility.
Rhesus disease is when the pregnant woman’s antibodies kill the baby’s blood cells.
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Obstruction in the bile ducts and gallbladder

Breastfeeding a newborn can potentially raise the risk of jaundice. However, a person does not need to quit feeding the infant in this manner—the symptoms of jaundice resolve in many situations within a few weeks. Jaundice Diagnosis

Jaundice Diagnosis

A blood test is commonly done to confirm jaundice. It includes:

Bilirubin testing
A complete blood count of red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Tests for Hepatitis A, B, and C

Other tests that may perform to determine the cause of jaundice include:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Liver Biopsy
X-ray imaging
Ultrasound scans

Complications of Jaundice

The severity and type of jaundice and your medical problems will determine the complications of jaundice. Most common complications include:

Stomach ache
Diarrhea
Bleeding
Infections
Constipation
Renal disease
Liver failure
Swelling of legs
Anemia
Bloating in the abdomen

If a baby has Infant jaundice, the following issues may occur:

Vomiting
Fever
Having difficulty waking up or staying awake
Continuous high toned crying

In addition to hearing loss, uncontrollable physical movements, and abnormal tooth enamel formation, severe jaundice in a child can cause lifelong brain damage.

Treatment for Jaundice

The medical treatment of jaundice focuses on the underlying cause rather than jaundice itself. Your doctor might consider the following situation:

Using antiviral medicines and steroids to treat hepatocellular jaundice.
Iron supplements for hemolytic jaundice.
Surgery to remove the blockage, followed by medication, is used to treat obstructive jaundice.
There’s also medication-induced jaundice that develops as a side effect of taking certain medications. In such circumstances, the drugs are stopped, and substitutes are recommended.

Treatments for jaundice in babies include:

Phototherapy
Transfusion of blood

Conclusion

Jaundice is caused by a variety of disorders that affect the liver. The yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes are all symptoms of jaundice.

Jaundice is often confused as a disease, but it is a symptom of some underlying illness or health concern.

If not treated or managed on time, it can cause serious complications. If you notice any jaundice symptoms, consult our doctor at 88569-88569.

Frequently Asked Question ( FAQs)

What is the most common way for jaundice to spread?

Jaundice is spread by coming into contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids. Sexual contact or the sharing of needles can also spread the infection.

Which organ is responsible for jaundice?

Jaundice is usually a symptom of a liver, gallbladder, or pancreas problem. When the body produces too much bilirubin, it can cause jaundice.

Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Group has 16 hospitals. Kanpur, Rewari, Kashipur, Varanasi, Sonepat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Nangloi in Delhi, Rama Vihar in Delhi, Kaithal, Bahadurgarh, Karnal, Moradabad, Haldwani, and Agra. You can book an appointment at your nearest Ujala Cygnus Hospital for any health issue treatment. For any query, you can give a missed call on 88569-88569 and get a free consultation over the phone.