The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. In addition to being a vital part of the body's defenses, the skin can also display changes that can signal that there are problems elsewhere in the body. Although jaundice is common in newborn children, it can also be due to pathology of the liver or other organs.
Identification
Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and of the whites of the eyes. It is generally more visible in lighter colored skin due to the lack of other pigments which can mask this color change. It can be distinguished from other causes of yellow pigmentation of the skin, such as consumption of large amounts of beta-carotene, because only with jaundice are the whites of the eyes involved.
Mechanism
Jaundice occurs as a result of deposition of the pigment bilirubin into skin and eye tissue. Bilirubin is made when old or damaged red blood cells are broken down; hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells, is converted into bilirubin. Bilirubin is normally processed by the liver and incorporated into bile, which is then excreted via the intestines. When bilirubin levels become too high, jaundice is the result.
Causes
Pathologic jaundice can be caused by the liver not being able to incorporate bilirubin into the bile quickly enough to keep up with bilirubin production. Liver disorders such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatic cholestasis, which is a condition in which bile is unable to leave the liver, can all result in pathologic jaundice, MedlinePlus explains. Jaundice can also be caused by diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, which cause rapid red blood cell turnover.
Diagnosis
One way of determining the cause of jaundice is to do a bilirubin test. Bilirubin levels can be measured from the blood and can be divided into two different categories: conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin. Conjugation is a chemical change which happens to the bilirubin as it is processed. High levels of unconjugated bilirubin suggest that the jaundice is due to red blood cell destruction. Elevated conjugated bilirubin levels indicate that the jaundice is caused by a problem with the liver and additional tests may be needed to determine the exact nature of the problem.
Treatment
In general, treatment of jaundice hinges on treating the underlying disorder, although cholestyramine can be taken to provide symptomatic relief. If the jaundice is caused by hepatitis, the symptoms will fade as the inflammation goes down, according to the Merck Manual. If jaundice is caused by a problem with the bile ducts, surgery may be needed to help correct the problem. Similarly, sickle cell anemia and other conditions which cause elevated red blood cell turnover will need to be treated for the jaundice to get better.
