Jaundice

Overview Jaundice or icterus is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclerae from increased levels of bilirubin, a bile pigment derived chiefly from the breakdown of hemoglobin.

Mechanism of Jaundice

  • Increased production of bilirubin
  • Decrease uptake of bilirubin by the hepatocytes
  • Decreased ability of the liver to conjugate bilirubin
  • Decreased excretion of bilirubin into the bile, resulting in absorption of conjugated bilirubin back into the blood
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