Jaundice-associated conditions

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

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 theВ buildup 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 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)

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 disorderВ thatВ causes the jaundice.