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
