Jaundice is a condition that causes a yellowish skin color (xanthochromia), of the mucous, gives urine and of the secretions due to the passage of bilirubin from the blood to tissues and urine. It is not a disease, but a sign for which there may be several causes.
The word "jaundice" means yellow or yellowish and comes from Latin icterus, which, in turn, originates from the Greek root ikteros.
Jaundice is first visible in the ocular sclera (the outer fibrous membrane of the eyeball, which makes up the resistant shell of the eye, the white of the eye).
Jaundice can be caused by various liver diseases, infections and intoxications, stasis in the biliary tract or increased destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic jaundice).
Epidemic jaundice is linked to epidemic hepatitis, which is caused by a transmissible virus (hepatitis virus). Other infectious diseases such as yellow fever, Weil's disease, malaria, are also associated with jaundice.
The treatment of jaundice can be done through medication, dietetics or phototherapy.
Neonatal jaundice
Also known as yellowing, neonatal jaundice is an excess of bilirubin in a baby's bloodstream, leaving the newborn with a yellowish tinge.
Neonatal jaundice is quite common, occurring in almost 80% of babies and appearing around the tenth day after birth.
To combat jaundice, it is advisable for the baby to sunbathe early in the morning or late in the afternoon, times when the sun is not harmful. In more severe cases, the baby may have to undergo phototherapy.
Obstructive jaundice
Obstructive jaundice, also known as post-hepatic jaundice, is caused by a disturbance in the biliary system where there is a failure to drain the bile. The most frequent causes are gallstones and pancreatic cancer.
A particular type of obstructive jaundice is caused by obstruction of the bile ducts due to ingrown tumors or stones. In this case there are no bilirubin compounds in the stool and the stool turns gray-white. In obstructive jaundice, surgical intervention is indicated.