What is
Jaundice?
A person who looks yellowish is described as
being jaundiced. Jaundice however, is not a disease itself, but a disorder
of the liver.
Red blood cells are constantly being broken down
by the spleen. Bilirubin is one of the breakdown products of haemoglobin
and is carried to the liver to be excreted in the bile. It is the raised
level of bilirubin in the blood that gives the yellow colour seen in
jaundice.
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Are
there different types of jaundice?
Pre-hepatic – This is where too many red blood
cells are broken down. Gilbert’s syndrome is a congenital disorder of
bilirubin metabolism and may affect up to 5% of the population.
Hepatic-jaundice – This is the appearance of
jaundice due to the disturbances in liver function. Drugs such as the
contraceptive pill, anti-diabetic drugs and some antibiotics may also
cause inflammation of the liver cells.
Obstructive jaundice – The commonest cause of
obstructive jaundice is a gallstone lodged in the common bile duct. The
bile duct may become blocked if there is a tumour pressing on it.
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How is
it diagnosed?
Blood tests may be used in the diagnosis or an
ultrasound scan to detect whether the cause may be from a gallstone or
blockage.
What
about jaundice in newborn babies?
Jaundice is very common in newborn babies due to
the fact that the newborn liver is not able to cope with the normal
breakdown of red blood cells. Severe jaundice in babies should be treated
promptly. Treatment under a powerful ultraviolet light increases the
breakdown of bilirubin in the skin. Sometimes a complete change of blood
is necessary.
