MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Jaundice-associated conditions

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Jaundice-associated conditions

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Exchange transfusion - series

Jaundice

Jaundice infant

Cirrhosis of the liver

Alternative names Return to top

Conditions associated with jaundice

Definition Return to top

Jaundice-associated conditions are diseases or conditions that cause yellow skin (jaundice).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Jaundice is a symptom of liver and gallbladder disorders. The skin and the eyes become yellow due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin.
Jaundice-associated conditions include:

Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Hepatitis E)
Obstruction of the bile ducts (by infection, tumor, biliary stricture or gallstones)
Pancreatic carcinoma (cancer of the pancreas)
Cirrhosis (all causes)
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Drug-induced cholestasis (bile pools in the liver because of the effects of drugs)
Drug-induced hepatitis (hepatitis triggered by medications)
Ischemic hepatitis (jaundice caused by inadequate oxygen and/or inadequate blood flow to the liver)
Gilbert's syndrome
Dubin-Johnson syndrome
Biliary atresia
Newborn jaundice
Congenital disorders of bilirubin metabolism
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (bile pools in the liver)
Hemolytic anemia
Malaria

For more information, see the symptom document about jaundice, also see the individual diseases.

Symptoms Return to top

Yellow skin
Yellow sclera (the white part of the eyes)

Other symptoms may also be present depending on the specific disorder.

Signs and tests Return to top

Physical examination will show jaundice. Other signs may also be present, such as liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) with some of the disorders.

Tests will vary but will probably include liver function tests to determine how well the liver is working. See the specific disorders.

Treatment Return to top

All jaundice-associated conditions require medical diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, the only treatment needed may be observation, but ALWAYS consult with your health care provider.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outcome varies.

Complications Return to top

Complications vary, but can include liver failure (life-threatening).

Calling your health care provider Return to top

JAUNDICE IN AN INFANT, CHILD, OR ADULT SHOULD ALWAYS BE MEDICALLY EVALUATED!

Prevention Return to top

Prevention depends on the disorder which causes the jaundice.

Update Date: 10/9/2003

Updated by: Christian Stone, M. D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.