liver and diseases Flashcards
what causes neonatal jaundice?
enzymes low at birth so unconjugated bilirubin increases
treatment for neonatal jaundice?
usually resolves itself within 2 weeks
can use fluorescent blue light therapy
what is haemolytic jaundice?
excessive red blood cell lysis
bilirubin produced at a faster rate than conjugation
what causes hepatocellular jaundice?
liver damage by hepatitis
low conjugation efficiency
what signs of hepatocellular jaundice are there?
increase in BOTH conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin
ALT and AST elevation
urine - yellowish brown
stools - normal to pale
what causes obstructive jaundice?
bile duct obstruction, conjugated bilirubin prevented from passing into intestine so goes into blood
signs of obstructive jaundice?
GGT and ALP elevated
ALT normal/slightly elevated
yellowish brown urine
pale stools
cause of alcoholic liver disease?
excess NADH - increased lipid biosynthesis
impaired assembly and secretion of lipoproteins
what happens to hepatocytes in liver cirrhosis?
hepatocytes replaced by non-functional connective tissue
portal vein hypertension
causes of cirrhosis?
alcohol
drugs
chronic viral hepatitis
haemochromatosis
symptoms of cirrhosis?
fluid retention/oedema
gallstones
reduced mental function
jaundice
coagulation defects
what is acute hepatitis?
mild changes in function over a short period
what is chronic hepatitis?
hepatic damage, firbosis/cirrhosis
what is viral hepatitis?
acute liver injury
what is hepatitis A?
RNA virus, short incubation
transmitted faecal-oral enterically
no progression to chronic disease, largely asymptomatic
