According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), jaundice is a yellowish color in the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. The color is associated with a buildup of bilirubin in the affected area. Normal red blood cells have many functions. The part that carries oxygen is broken down into bilirubin after use, which is carried to the liver and excreted into the intestines as part of bile, then excreted in the feces. The yellowing is similar to the color changes in bruises, as it indicates old red blood cells being disposed and bilirubin being left behind. Jaundice occurs in adults, children and newborns and can indicate many different conditions.
Causes
Jaundice can occur when the liver is damaged or becomes overwhelmed if too many red blood cells are present and it cannot process them all, according to the NIH. If the bilirubin from the liver cannot travel through the biliary duct, it can build up in the liver and travel to the tissues causing jaundice as well. Certain conditions such as hepatitis, Gilbert's syndrome, pancreatic cancer, alcoholic cirrhosis, malaria, hemolytic anemia and primary biliary cirrhosis can also cause jaundice. Also, according to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of all babies born at full-term and 80 percent of premature infants have elevated levels of bilirubin in their first few days of life.
Symptoms
As previously noted, jaundice causes a yellowing of certain parts of the body, including skin and the whites of the eyes. According to the Merck manual, urine can also be darker than usual due to excess bilirubin being excreted by the kidneys. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever and loss of appetite. Any blockages of the bile duct may also result in abdominal pain. Jaundice, when it occurs in newborns, may also bring with it signs of lethargy.
Diagnosis
If symptoms are present, especially yellowing of the skin, a medical professional can perform many tests to diagnose jaundice. According to the Merck Manual, lab tests may be conducted to determine the amount of bilirubin in the blood. Imaging studies may also be done to look for any enlargements of the abdominal organs or if any damage is present. The NIH also suggests that a liver biopsy, liver function test and a check of prothrombin blood clot time be done.
Treatment
Jaundice usually disappears gradually, according to the Merck Manual. If jaundice is present due to a biliary blockage, surgery or surgical endoscopy may be necessary to reopen the bile duct. Staying hydrated with adequate fluid intake is important to flush excess bilirubin out of the body. If jaundice is occurring in a newborn, light therapy may be warranted in which a special light will help break down the bilirubin in the skin.
Other Considerations
Jaundice can sometimes be confused with hypercarotenemia, according to the NIH. Hypercarotenemia, or carotenemia, is a yellow-orange skin color due to eating too much beta carotene, found in orange-pigmented foods such as carrots. However, the whites of the eyes do not turn yellow-orange, which can differentiate the two conditions. Also, the specific cause of jaundice is necessary to determine which treatment to prescribe.
