Drexel University College of Medicine

Diseases and Conditions

Jaundice-associated conditions

Definition

Jaundice-associated conditions are diseases or conditions that cause yellow skin (jaundice).

Alternative Names

Conditions associated with jaundice

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Jaundice is a sign of liver, gallbladder, or certain blood disorders. The skin and the eyes become yellow due to the buildup of bilirubin in the skin and "white" of the eye (sclera).

Conditions associated with jaundice include:

Hepatitis:

• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Hepatitis due to the effects of drugs (drug-induced hepatitis)
• Jaundice caused by reduced oxygen or blood flow to the liver (ischemic hepatitis)
• Viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E)

Gallbladder and bile duct disorders:

• Biliary atresia
• Blockage of the bile ducts (by infection, tumor, biliary stricture or gallstones)
• Gallbladder and bile duct cancers
• Primary biliary cirrhosis

Liver disorders:

• Bile pools in the liver because of the effects of drugs (drug-induced cholestasis)
• Cirrhosis
• Congenital disorders of bilirubin metabolism
• Dubin-Johnson syndrome
• Gilbert disease

Other causes:

• Bile pools in the liver during pregnancy (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy)
• Newborn jaundice
• Pancreatic carcinoma

Symptoms

• Dark urine
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Yellow in the white part of the eyes (sclera)
• Yellow skin

Other symptoms depend on the specific disorder:

• Cancers may produce no symptoms, or there may be fatigue, weight loss, or other symptoms
• Hepatitis may produce nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or other symptoms

Signs and tests

Physical examination will show:

• Jaundice
• Liver swelling (possibly)

Specific tests vary, but will include blood liver function tests to determine how well the liver is working.

Other tests may include:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• CT scan-directed biopsy
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)

Treatment

All jaundice-associated conditions need to be diagnosed and treated. In some cases, you will only need observation, but always talk to your health care provider.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome varies.

Complications

Complications vary, but can include life-threatening liver failure.

Calling your health care provider

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of jaundice.

Prevention

Prevention depends on the disorder that causes the jaundice.

References

Berk PD, Korenblat KM. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver test results. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007: chap 150.

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