Jaundice, sometimes called icterus, is when your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. This happens because there’s too much bilirubin, a yellow pigment, in your body. Normally, bilirubin is made when red blood cells break down. If your body can’t handle bilirubin correctly, it can build up in the blood.
Jaundice can be caused by different health issues. While it often happens in newborns, adults can get it too. There are four main types of jaundice, depending on where the bilirubin processing goes wrong.
Pre-hepatic jaundice happens before the liver gets a chance to process bilirubin. It usually relates to blood problems, like autoimmune hemolytic anemia, where the immune system mistakenly destroys red blood cells.
Hepatic jaundice occurs when the liver itself isn’t working well enough to process bilirubin. This could be due to liver problems like hepatitis or damage from alcohol.
Post-hepatic jaundice comes from a blockage in the bile ducts, which are tiny tubes carrying bile, a digestive juice with bilirubin. Even if the liver processes bilirubin properly, the body can’t get rid of it if there’s an obstruction in the liver or gallbladder. Things like gallstones, infections in the bile ducts, or certain cancers can lead to post-hepatic jaundice.
Neonatal jaundice affects newborns. Around 80% of premature babies and over half of full-term babies show jaundice in their first week. This happens because a newborn’s liver isn’t mature enough to process bilirubin quickly, causing it to rise in the blood. Usually, neonatal jaundice clears up on its own, but sometimes it can be serious.
Besides the yellow skin and eyes, symptoms vary depending on the jaundice type and the underlying cause. They can come on suddenly or develop gradually, and in some cases, there may not be any other symptoms.
For example, if you have a blood cell disorder like autoimmune hemolytic anemia, you might also feel weak and notice pale skin. Eating a lot of foods with beta carotene, like carrots, can turn your skin yellow but not the whites of your eyes. Although this isn’t jaundice, a doctor can confirm what’s going on.
Checking for jaundice can be trickier if you have darker skin, so healthcare providers might look inside the mouth or at the sclera for yellowing. In newborns, jaundice often starts on the face and moves down to the belly, legs, and feet. It’s crucial to call your baby’s doctor immediately if you notice concerning symptoms.
There are many reasons why bilirubin might build up, the most common being hepatitis, alcohol-related liver issues, or bile duct blockages. The causes of jaundice are grouped based on where the bilirubin process goes wrong—before, during, or after the liver does its job.
If red blood cells break down too fast, the liver can’t keep up with the bilirubin production, causing jaundice symptoms. Various conditions can lead to this quickened hemolysis.
Issues with the liver can also interfere with bilirubin removal, upping the chances of jaundice. Blockages in the bile ducts can lead to post-hepatic jaundice, with gallstones and certain cancers being common culprits.
If you notice jaundice, it’s important to see a healthcare provider promptly. They can identify the cause with a physical exam and possibly order tests to figure out what’s going on. Your treatment will depend on the cause of the high bilirubin levels, often involving medications or medical procedures.
Some inherited blood conditions, like Gilbert syndrome, are unpreventable. While liver cancer or bile duct blockages can’t always be prevented, you can reduce the risk of other causes of jaundice, such as hepatitis or gallstones.
Bilirubin is toxic, and untreated jaundice-inducing conditions can lead to serious health problems. For example, untreated hepatitis can result in cirrhosis, liver failure, and a higher liver cancer risk. A blocked bile duct also risks leading to gallbladder infections, pancreatitis, and sepsis.
In rare cases, severe bilirubin build-up in the brain, called kernicterus, can cause brain damage. This is a particular concern for newborns with severe jaundice. If your baby shows jaundice signs immediately after birth or for more than two weeks, getting medical help is crucial.
Jaundice causes yellow skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin in the body. Other symptoms might include itchy skin, pale stools, dark urine, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Many conditions can lead to jaundice, like blood disorders, liver diseases, and gallstones. How doctors treat it will depend on what’s causing the symptoms, and it often involves medications or other medical procedures.
