Jaundice how is it caused

If there is too much bilirubin, it can leak into the surrounding tissues. This is known as hyperbilirubinemia, and it causes the yellow color in the skin and eyes. Jaundice most often happens as a result of an underlying disorder that either causes the production of too much bilirubin or prevents the liver from getting rid of it. Both of these result in bilirubin being deposited in tissues. Underlying conditions that may cause jaundice include:. Jaundice is related to liver function.

It is essential that people maintain the health of this vital organ by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and not consuming more than the recommended amounts of alcohol.

Common symptoms of jaundice include :. The itching that accompanies jaundice can sometimes be so intense that patients have been known to scratch their skin raw, experience insomnia , or, in extreme cases, even have thoughts of suicide. When complications happen, this is usually because of the underlying problem, not the jaundice itself.

For example, if an obstructed bile duct leads to jaundice, uncontrolled bleeding may result. This is because the blockage leads a shortage of vitamins needed for clotting.

Jaundice is a common health issue in newborn infants. Around 60 percent of newborns experience jaundice, and this increases to 80 percent of premature infants born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Red blood cells in the body of an infant are frequently broken down and replaced. This causes the production of more bilirubin. Also, the livers of infants are less developed and, therefore, less effective at filtering bilirubin from the body. Symptoms will usually resolve without treatment within 2 weeks. However, infants with extremely high bilirubin levels will require treatment with either a blood transfusion or phototherapy. In these cases, treatment is vital as jaundice in newborns can lead to kernicterus, a very rare type of permanent brain damage.

The level of bilirubin is defined in a blood test called a bilirubin test. This measures unconjugated, or indirect, bilirubin levels.

These are responsible for the onset of jaundice. Adults and older children should have a level of between 0. If they show higher levels than this, they are usually referred for further investigation. These ranges may differ between laboratories. Doctors will most likely use the history of the patient and a physical exam to diagnose jaundice and confirm bilirubin levels.

They will pay close attention to the abdomen, feel for tumors, and check the firmness of the liver. A firm liver indicates cirrhosis , or scarring of the liver. Their website offers information about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment of jaundice.

Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center, is one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the United States and a leader in research, education, and health information.

Their website offers information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of jaundice in adults. March of Dimes.

The nonprofit organization focusing on mothers and babies has information about the causes of jaundice, along with diagnosis and treatment. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: February 1, Medically Reviewed.

Jaundice is a condition that causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to turn yellow, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. It occurs when a yellow substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin forms when hemoglobin the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen is broken down, per the Merck Manual. It binds with bile in the liver and moves into the digestive tract, where it is mostly eliminated in stool.

A small amount is eliminated in urine. However, if bilirubin cannot travel through the liver and bile ducts quickly enough, it accumulates in the blood and is deposited in the skin, eyes, and other tissues, which leads to jaundice.

Infants Typically, the telltale yellow or orange coloring of jaundice first appears on a baby's face, then it migrates down the body to the chest, abdomen, arms, and legs, notes the CDC. The whites of the eyes can also take on a yellowish hue. Signs in babies that warrant a same-day visit to the doctor include:. Certain adults are also susceptible to jaundice, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Per the Merck Manual , other signs of jaundice in adults include:. Infants There are a few different reasons babies might get jaundice.

Once the baby is born, their liver takes over. Suboptimal Intake Jaundice Also dubbed breastfeeding jaundice, this tends to occur during the baby's first week, when they may not be receiving an optimal amount of breast milk.

That initial bowel movement is an important way to usher bilirubin out of the body, notes the CDC. Blood Type If a mother and baby have different incompatible blood types, the mother's body makes antibodies that attack the baby's red blood cells, making the baby more likely to get jaundice, according to KidsHealth. Other Underlying Disorders Here, jaundice can surface either earlier or much later than the more prevalent forms of newborn jaundice, per the Mayo Clinic.

Some of the conditions that may cause jaundice include:. Bruised at Birth A baby born with bruises is more likely to get jaundice, because when large bruises heal, they can cause high levels of bilirubin.

Jaundice in adults is usually brought on by reactions to drugs or underlying disorders that damage the liver, interfere with the flow of bile, or trigger the destruction of red blood cells, according to the Merck Manual. Per the Cleveland Clinic, causes of jaundice in adults include, but not limited to:. Hereditary disorders that interfere with how the body processes bilirubin, such as Gilbert syndrome and Dubin-Johnson syndrome, can also cause jaundice, but this is less common, according to the Merck Manual.

Infants The CDC asserts that newborns should be checked for jaundice at least every 8 to 12 hours in the first 48 hours of life and then again before 5 days old. For adults, the yellowing of jaundice may be easy to spot, but zeroing in on the underlying cause requires a physical exam. According to the Merck Manual , further testing may include:.

Newborn jaundice is not harmful in most cases, and usually gets better without treatment, notes MedlinePlus. However, its causes and complications are the focus of treatment and management, per the Cleveland Clinic. For formula-fed infants, jaundice usually subsides by two weeks, according to HealthyChildren. In adults, the duration of your jaundice will depend on the underlying cause and will vary from short term to unresolvable.

Bilirubin is toxic to cells of the brain. If a baby has severe jaundice, there's a risk of bilirubin passing into the brain, a condition called acute bilirubin encephalopathy. Prompt treatment may prevent significant lasting damage.

Kernicterus is the syndrome that occurs if acute bilirubin encephalopathy causes permanent damage to the brain. Kernicterus may result in:. The best preventive of infant jaundice is adequate feeding. Breast-fed infants should have eight to 12 feedings a day for the first several days of life. Formula-fed infants usually should have 1 to 2 ounces about 30 to 60 milliliters of formula every two to three hours for the first week.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Infant jaundice is yellow discoloration of a newborn baby's skin and eyes.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Wong RJ, et al. Clinical manifestations of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm infants.

Accessed April 2, Maisels MJ, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation.

Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. American Academy of Pediatrics.