Types of Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition that causes yellow skin pigmentation. This is caused by an excess of bilirubin, which is caused by old red blood cells.

Types

• Neonatal Jaundice (newborn jaundice), hepatocellular jaundice, obstruction jaundice, and hemolytic jaundice are the four types of jaundice. These each have different causes.

Causes

• Newborn jaundice can be caused by malaria, an underdeveloped liver, certain syndromes, and hemolytic anemia. Alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced hepatitis, malaria, viral hepatitis, and blocked bile ducts are all causes of hepatocellular, obstruction, and hemolytic jaundice.

Complications

• Jaundice can cause serious complications if left untreated. The bilirubin cells are toxic to brain cells, and can cause permanent brain damage.

Treatments

• Jaundice can be treated by light therapy and exchange blood transfusion. Both of these treatment options attempt to remove the bilirubin from the blood.

Prevention/Solution

• For adults, avoiding alcoholic beverages and drugs can help prevent jaundice. Breast feeding may help reduce an infant's chances for jaundice by providing antibodies the baby needs to develop.