Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a yellowish or greenish pigmentation of the skin and sclera due to high bilirubin levels. [3] [6] Jaundice in adults is typically a sign indicating the presence of underlying diseases involving abnormal heme metabolism, liver dysfunction, or biliary-tract obstruction. [7]
Physical examination reviews clinical symptoms like degree of jaundice, vital signs and sensations of pain, further followed by urine tests, blood analysis and imaging. [3] [4] The degree of yellowish staining of the conjunctiva and skin in jaundice is proportional to hyperbilirubinemia to some extent. [6]
Mild jaundice may appear under conditions of exertion, stress, fasting, and infections, but the condition is otherwise usually asymptomatic. [7] [8] Severe cases are seen by yellowing of the skin tone and yellowing of the conjunctiva in the eye. [9] Gilbert syndrome has been reported to contribute to an accelerated onset of neonatal jaundice.
Kernicterus is a bilirubin-induced brain dysfunction. [1] The term was coined in 1904 by Christian Georg Schmorl.Bilirubin is a naturally occurring substance in the body of humans and many other animals, but it is neurotoxic when its concentration in the blood is too high, a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia.
In both newborns and adults, yellowing of the skin is a marker for jaundice. [27] As most cases of jaundice are observed in newborns, healthcare workers use visual methods to identify the presence of this condition. [29]
Rotor syndrome (also known as Rotor type hyperbilirubinemia) [2] is a rare cause of mixed direct (conjugated) and indirect (unconjugated) hyperbilirubinemia, relatively benign, autosomal recessive [3] bilirubin disorder characterized by non-hemolytic jaundice due to the chronic elevation of predominantly conjugated bilirubin.
Management consists of vigilant observation over days to detect progression and, if required, manage complications (e.g. hemorrhagic shock, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice from hemolyzed red blood cells). The subgaleal space is capable of holding up to 40% of a newborn baby's blood and can therefore result in acute shock and death.
Jaundice is commonly caused by conditions such as pancreatic cancer, which causes blockage of the bile duct passing through the cancerous portion of the pancreas; cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile ducts; blockage by a stone in patients with gallstones; and from scarring after injury to the bile duct during gallbladder removal.