Jaundice Flashcards
What is jaundice?
A yellow discoloration of the skin caused by High serum bilirubin level
Above 50micromol/L
What are the 3 types of jaundice?
Pre hepatic
Hepatic
Post hepatic
Pre hepatic
What is it caused by?
Increased breakdown of RBC leading to increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin in blood
(No excess of bilirubin In urine)
What are symptoms of pre hepatic?
Urine normal
Stool normal
Enlarged spleen
Yellow skin
What is pre hepatic jaundice caused by?
Sickle cell, malaria, newborn jaundice
Why do new borns have jaundice?
Caused by excess breakdown of foetal Hb since it’s no longer required meaning increase in unconj bilirubin and liver can’t conjugate fast enough
Hepatic
What is it?
Liver damage
Unable to metabolize unconj bilirubin so increase in serum unconj bilirubin
Conj bilirubin unable to be secreted so increase in conj bilirubin
What are symptoms of hepatic?
Decreased urobillinogen Urine dark Stool normal Enlarged spleen Yellow skin
What is hepatic caused by?
Alcohol, cirrhosis, drugs, jaundice of new born
Post hepatic
What is it?
Occurs when biliary system is damaged, enflamed or obstructed
Increased serum conjugated bilirubin
Symptoms of post hepatic
Dark urine Pale stool Normal spleen Decreased urobillinogen Yellow skin
What are the causes of post hepatic?
Gall stones, pancreatic cancer, various cancers
With acute pancreatitis, where will the pain radiate?
From the back
In Gilbert’s syndrome, why is there a normal conjugated bilirubin level. Hey raised unconj bilirubin level?
Shortage of UDG glucuronyl transferase, meaning only a small amount of conjugation occurs
