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Jaundice: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "'''Jaundice''' or '''icterus''' refers to the yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes due to deposition of bilirubin. This occurs due to an increased concentration of bilirubin in the blood, called '''hyperbilirubinaemia'''. Discoloration of the sclerae occurs at lower concentrations of bilirubin than the skin. The reference range of total bilirubin is 5 – 20 µmol/L. '''Scleral icterus''' (sometimes called '''subicterus''', but different de...") |
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We distinguish two types of hyperbilirubinaemia: unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia, where the elevation in bilirubin is predominantly due to elevation in unconjugated bilirubin, and conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. | We distinguish two types of hyperbilirubinaemia: unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia, where the elevation in bilirubin is predominantly due to elevation in unconjugated bilirubin, and conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. | ||
The most common cause of jaundice is obstruction of the bile ducts, causing conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. | The most common cause of jaundice is obstruction of the bile ducts, causing conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. This is called [[cholestasis]]. | ||
== Etiology == | == Etiology == | ||
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** Cirrhosis | ** Cirrhosis | ||
** Infiltrative diseases of the liver | ** Infiltrative diseases of the liver | ||
* Posthepatic hyperbilirubinaemia (cholestasis, obstructive jaundice) | * Posthepatic hyperbilirubinaemia ([[cholestasis]], obstructive jaundice) | ||
** Choledocholithiasis | ** Choledocholithiasis | ||
** Cholangitis | ** Cholangitis | ||