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What is it?
1. Neonatal Jaundice
1. Newborn babies have too many red blood cells which contain
haemoglobin. It is normal for the baby's body to break down these
excess red blood cells and thus form a large amount of bilirubin.
In most cases, an infant's jaundice will resolve within a few days, often
without the need for any treatment.
Occasionally, jaundice in an infant is caused by blood group
incompatibility (ABO or Rhesus Incompatibility) which causes a very fast
breakdown of red blood cells. If it is not the mother's first pregnancy, the
possibility of this problem is usually picked up in the antenatal period.A
rare cause of neonatal jaundice is a physical defect in the liver or bile duct
system.Treatment of jaundice in a newborn may be required if the blood
level of bilirubin is very high. This will usually entail placing the infant
under fluorescent lights for a few days, which speeds up the metabolism
of the excess bilirubin.
2. Viral Hepatitis
Symptoms
Most people who get hepatitis B will become ill and their immune
system will fight off the infection. However, 5-10% of people will go on to
develop chronic hepatitis. Another 5-10% will become carriers, in which
case they will be asymptomatic but able to infect others.The hep B
vaccine consists of 3 separate injections over a period of 7 months and is
also 90% effective.
3. Gallstones
Gallstones are a common problem in adults. Although they more
commonly cause intermittent abdominal pain, they can sometimes cause
jaundice. This occurs when gallstones get stuck in gallbladder or bile duct
system, blocking bilirubin from being excreted via the intestine. Usually,
the acute problem will resolve spontaneously and the gallbladder can be
taken out non-urgently. However, sometimes, gallstones can lead to
infection of the gallbladder or bile duct and/or septicaemia, which also
may be associated with jaundice. This can be a serious condition and
requires urgent treatment with appropriate antibiotics.
4. Alcoholic Hepatitis
5) Malignancy
6. Medications
Several medications can cause hepatitis as a possible side effect. This
may or may not result in a visible jaundice and sometimes it only causes a
blood test abnormality. The jaundice is usually mild and the illness nearly
always resolves once the drug has been stopped.
7. Pregnancy
1. Blood tests
Blood tests are very useful in a case of jaundice. These will usually
show raised 'liver enzymes' as well as a high bilirubin level. Depending on
exactly which enzymes are raised, further tests may be necessary to
make an accurate diagnosis. A 'full blood count" is also useful to look for
infection or any blood cell abnormality.
2. Imaging
3. ERCP
4. Liver Biopsy
Treatment of jaundice