The buildup of very high pressure in a blocked common bile duct is transmitted back to the liver and interferes with the further secretion of bile. As a result, bilirubin, which is normally secreted into the bile by uptake from the blood in the liver, accumulates in the blood and diffuses into tissues, producing a yellowish coloration of the skin and eyes known as jaundice.
Causes of jaundice vary from non-serious to potentially fatal. Levels of bilirubin in blood are normally below 1.0 mg/dL and levels over 2-3 mg/dL typically results in jaundice. High bilirubin is divided into two types: indirect or unconjugated and conjugated or direct.
Conjugated bilirubin can be confirmed by finding bilirubin in the urine. High unconjugated bilirubin may be due to excess red blood cell breakdown, genetic conditions (Gilbert's syndrome), newborn jaundice, or thyroid problems. It may be due to liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, infections, medications or blockage of the bile duct. Blockage of the bile duct may occur due to gallstones, cancer or pancreatitis.
Hyperbilirubinemia due to the unconjugated fraction, may cause bilirubin to accumulate in the gray matter of CNS, potentially causing irreversible neurological damage leading to a condition known as kernicterus.
At birth, the liver's capacity to secrete bilirubin is not fully developed. During the first few days of life, this may result in hemolytic jaundice of the newborn. Excessive accumulation of bilirubin during the neonatal period carries a risk of damage to CNS.
Treatment of jaundice is typically determined by the underlying cause. If a bile duct blockage is present, surgery is typically required. Among newborns, it is treated with phototherapy or exchanged transfusion.
Causes of jaundice vary from non-serious to potentially fatal. Levels of bilirubin in blood are normally below 1.0 mg/dL and levels over 2-3 mg/dL typically results in jaundice. High bilirubin is divided into two types: indirect or unconjugated and conjugated or direct.
Conjugated bilirubin can be confirmed by finding bilirubin in the urine. High unconjugated bilirubin may be due to excess red blood cell breakdown, genetic conditions (Gilbert's syndrome), newborn jaundice, or thyroid problems. It may be due to liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, infections, medications or blockage of the bile duct. Blockage of the bile duct may occur due to gallstones, cancer or pancreatitis.
Hyperbilirubinemia due to the unconjugated fraction, may cause bilirubin to accumulate in the gray matter of CNS, potentially causing irreversible neurological damage leading to a condition known as kernicterus.
At birth, the liver's capacity to secrete bilirubin is not fully developed. During the first few days of life, this may result in hemolytic jaundice of the newborn. Excessive accumulation of bilirubin during the neonatal period carries a risk of damage to CNS.
Treatment of jaundice is typically determined by the underlying cause. If a bile duct blockage is present, surgery is typically required. Among newborns, it is treated with phototherapy or exchanged transfusion.
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