Updated: 28-03-2025
Jaundice, or icterus, is a disease in which the bilirubin count in the blood increases (often referred to as hyperbilirubinemia), causing yellowish pigmentation of the skin, whites of the eyes (sclerae), and other mucous membranes.
Hyperbilirubinemia consequently leads to the rise of bilirubin in the extracellular fluid.
The colour change depends on the level of bilirubin.
If the level of bilirubin is slightly increased, then the colour of the skin and sclerae changes to yellow, and if it is highly raised, then the colour changes to brown.
Let us know more about Jaundice: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Risk Factors
The name jaundice comes from the French word jaune, which means yellow.
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment present in bile.
It is a by-product formed during the natural breakdown of red blood cells daily.
A small amount of old red blood cells is removed and replaced with new blood cells.
The liver helps in the excretion of bilirubin in the form of bile. Any disruption in this normal formation of bilirubin results in jaundice.
The stool obtains a brown colour because of the bilirubin present in it.
People who eat more carrots or beta-carotene tablets exhibit a yellow colour in the skin, which is called carotenemia.
They should not get confused and presume it is jaundice because, in this case, the whites of the eyes do not change their colour to yellow as in jaundice.
Jaundice: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Risk Factors
- Hepatocellular or hepatic jaundice occurs due to injury or liver disease.
- The liver is unable to metabolise, and as a result, the bilirubin remains in the liver itself.
- It can be due to drugs, toxins, cirrhosis, hepatitis, Gilbert’s syndrome, or cancer.
- Pre-hepatic jaundice is caused by the rapid breakdown and destruction of red blood cells, which makes the liver unable to remove bilirubin from the blood.
- It can happen in thalassaemia, malaria, spherocytosis, and other autoimmune disorders.
- Post-hepatic or obstructive jaundice occurs due to the obstruction in the bile duct.
- Bile is formed in the liver and is carried to the gallbladder and small intestine through the bile duct. Any blockage in the bile duct does not allow the bilirubin to leave the liver.
- Cholestasis, in which the bile with conjugated bilirubin gets interrupted and remains in the liver itself.
- Inflammation of the liver.
- Swelling in the bile duct.
Symptoms of Jaundice
- Yellowing of the white part of the eyes (sclera)
- Yellowish tinge in the skin
- Itchiness in the skin
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the stomach due to a blockage in the bile duct
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Stools are watery and pale-colored than usual
- Urine color changes to dark
- Bleeding in the rectum
- Headache
- Mucous membranes in the mouth and nose turn yellow
Risk factors of jaundice
In Newborn Babies
Most babies develop jaundice after birth, but newborns with certain risk factors are at a higher risk of suffering from neonatal jaundice.
These may include:
- Premature birth
- Newborns with poor feeding
- Mother having diabetes
- Blood group mismatch
- Newborns with bruising
- Genetic infection
- Siblings with a history of neonatal jaundice
- Parents of East Asian or Mediterranean origin
In adults
The risk factors for developing jaundice in adults depend on the primary cause:
- People with hereditary conditions like thalassemia or hereditary
- People with alcohol addiction can develop alcoholic hepatitis, pancreatitis, and cirrhosis, which can lead to jaundice.
- People who are exposed to viral hepatitis, like hepatitis B and C.
Diagnosis of Jaundice
The yellow colour of the skin is the main clue for the early diagnosis of jaundice.
The doctors may further enquire about any intake of illegal drugs or toxins.
The urine test is done for urobilinogen, which is the by-product of bilirubin breakdown.
Blood is tested to diagnose other complications like malaria, cirrhosis, or hepatitis.
Physical examination is done to detect swelling on the liver and other body parts, such as legs, ankles, and feet.
In a few cases, a liver biopsy is recommended, in which a small tissue sample is taken to detect cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Doctors can also recommend an ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, or CT scan to have a detailed look at the liver or bile duct.
Treatments for Jaundice
Treatment of jaundice depends on the complications and causes related to it.
After the diagnosis, treatment is directed to cure the particular problem.
Hospitalisation is not always required. Effective treatment can be given at home, but you need to be vigilant regarding the health of the patient.
Sometimes the patient needs intravenous fluids in case of less intake.
Medications and antibiotics are required for curing vomiting and nausea.
In a few cases, blood transfusions may be required.
A drug or toxin must be discontinued if it is the cause of jaundice. Surgery may be needed in extreme cases.
The follow-up sessions depend upon the cause of the patient’s jaundice.
The patient may require only a short-term follow-up or lifelong supervision by the doctor.
The patient should not hesitate to discuss any complications regarding health with his/her health practitioner and seek treatment if the symptoms of jaundice persist.
Jaundice in different cases
Jaundice in pregnancy is rare but can pose serious problems for the mother and baby.
Around 3-5% of pregnant women show abnormal liver function signs.
The causes of jaundice in pregnancy include
- Intrahepatic cholestasis in women during pregnancy.
- Hyperemesis gravidarum.
- Gilbert’s syndrome, in which the enzymes are unable to process the excretion of bile.
- Pre-eclampsia is related to HELLP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count).
- Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
Symptoms
- Itching particularly increases in the evening and does not respond to anti-itch remedies.
- Darker urine
- Increased clotting time
- Fatigue
- Light stools
- nausea
- loss of appetite
Doctors may prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid for a cure.
For blood clotting function, Vitamin K can help avoid haemorrhage at the time of delivery.
If not treated on time, it can cause complications during childbirth, like premature labour or stillbirth.
Jaundice in newborn babies
Newborn or neonatal jaundice occurs in babies with a high level of bilirubin.
It is seen in infants after the second day of birth.
It lasts for about 1 week in the case of normal delivery and for about 2 weeks in the case of premature delivery of babies.
The newborn baby’s liver is not fully developed to remove the waste product bilirubin, which leads to an increase in its level.
It is usually harmless and goes away in 2 to 3 weeks in most cases as the liver starts developing.
But if it persists for longer weeks, then it can lead to a risk of other complications like deafness, brain damage, or cerebral palsy.
Babies who are at higher risk for developing newborn jaundice can be premature, babies deprived of enough breast milk, or babies whose blood group is different from that of their mothers.
Other causes include infection, internal bleeding, liver damage, or any other abnormality in the baby’s blood
A Bili light treatment is used for the initial treatment of newborn jaundice.
The baby is exposed to intensive phototherapy.
In this therapy, blue light of about 420–470 nm is used, which converts bilirubin that is further excreted through urination and faeces.
For this treatment, effective feedings are essential.
The eyes of the baby are protected from damage by soft eye shields.
Sunbathing is another way to treat newborn jaundice, as the early morning sun rays have ultraviolet B, which helps in vitamin D formation.
Diet for jaundice
Jaundice can be cured rapidly by opting for diet therapy and simple exercises. Recovery depends on the severity of the disease.
Rest is advised until the patient is cured completely. The patient should consume many fresh fruits and vegetables.
For the initial one week, the patient is advised to take only juices made of any of the fruits, like oranges, grapes, lemons, pears, raw apples, beets, sugarcane, and carrots.
Regular bowel elimination is essential, so a hot water enema is generally recommended.
Foods containing too much fat, like oil, butter, cream, and ghee, should be avoided during jaundice. A weak liver cannot digest oily food.
Detoxification of the liver is needed during this period, so detox foods are a must in your diet.
After 2 weeks, a small quantity of butter and olive oil can be added to your diet.
Barley water is a good cure for jaundice and, if consumed several times a day, gives the best results.
You can make it by adding one cup of barley to six pints of water, then boiling it for about 3 hours.
Pulses and legumes can cause digestive disturbance in the lower intestine, so they should be avoided. Drink a lot of lemon water to protect the liver cells from additional loss.
The patient should be exposed to fresh air and sunshine for a fast recovery.
Jaundice can be prevented if some preventive measures are followed
- Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are available
- Stop alcohol addiction
- Before traveling to regions with a high risk of malaria, take medications
- Avoid intravenous drug use and have safe intercourse.
- Stay away from impure food and water
- Good hygiene is important
- Individuals with G6PD deficiency should avoid medications that can cause haemolysis.
- Avoid medications that can damage the liver.
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