Discover the Truth about Jaundice Types

The term “jaundice” originates from the French word “jaune”, meaning yellow. This makes perfect sense as jaundice precisely causes the skin and eyes to acquire a yellowish tint.

Neonatal jaundice is among the most common conditions demanding medical attention in newborn babies. Roughly 60 percent of full-term and 80 percent of preterm babies develop this condition within the first week of life. Hence, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every newborn undergo a jaundice examination during routine medical checks after birth.

Adult jaundice is less common, yet it serves as an indicator of a more severe underlying condition.

Jaundice must be taken seriously because if it persists for more than a few weeks and remains untreated, it can lead to serious health problems. There are warning signs, most notably the obvious skin discoloration, and natural means to avoid increasing your (or your baby’s) risk of developing this discoloration condition.

What Is Jaundice?

Jaundice (also known as icterus) is a state where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow, urine darkens, and the stool color becomes lighter than normal. This occurs due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes, a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia.

Experts state that jaundice can be identified when the serum bilirubin rises to 2–2.5 milligrams per deciliter, but sometimes the yellowish skin color is not noticeable until the serum bilirubin is at least 7–8 milligrams per deciliter.

Bilirubin is a yellow chemical present in hemoglobin, the substance that transports oxygen in the blood and serves as a breakdown product of red blood cells. As red blood cells break down, our bodies generate new cells to replace them, and the old ones are processed through the liver for further metabolism and excretion.

There exist two types of bilirubin: unconjugated bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin. Unconjugated bilirubin is insoluble in water and is the term used before the bilirubin has been processed by the liver. Once processed by the liver, the bilirubin becomes conjugated, meaning it is more water-soluble, and then travels to the gallbladder where it is stored.

Ultimately, the bilirubin makes its way into the intestines, where a portion is excreted in the stool and some is metabolized by intestinal bacteria and excreted in urine.

When the liver is unable to metabolize the blood cells as they break down or the bilirubin is not properly excreted from the body, there is a build-up of bilirubin, which is why the skin may appear yellow. Cholestatic jaundice occurs when the bile stops flowing from the liver to the small intestines.

Neonatal jaundice occurs when newborn babies have a yellowish coloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This is usually harmless and disappears on its own within two to three weeks.

Adults can also develop jaundice, and it may be caused by a variety of medical conditions, some of which are serious and potentially life-threatening. Adults who develop it need to undergo a medical examination to determine the cause.

Causes

Neonatal (Newborn Jaundice)

Jaundice is prevalent among newborns because the metabolism, circulation, and excretion of bilirubin are slower than in adults. Newborn babies’ red blood cells have shorter lifespans than those of adults, and the concentration of red blood cells in newborns is also higher.

Usually, hyperbilirubinemia is harmless in newborn babies, and it only develops because a baby’s liver is not mature enough to eliminate all the bilirubin in the bloodstream. In fact, a study published in the “Archives of Disease in Childhood” found that of the 20 percent of newborn babies who are jaundiced, only 2.5 percent of them require treatment.

Sometimes, though, the discoloration is caused by an underlying disease or babies are at risk of developing high levels of bilirubin that can become dangerous.

Neonatal jaundice is the term for the common, usually harmless form of jaundice that is seen in many newborn babies in the first weeks of life. This is typically labeled a harmless condition, and it improves without any serious issues. However, it is still crucial to visit your pediatrician because occasionally a rare form of brain damage known as kernicterus can occur if bilirubin levels are elevated for too long.

Adult Jaundice

Jaundice in adults (or jaundice that is not simply physiological) can be caused by a wide range of harmless or life-threatening disorders that affect the normal metabolism or excretion of bilirubin. There are three phases in adults: pre-hepatic jaundice (before the transportation of blood to the liver), hepatic jaundice (when the blood has reached the liver), and post-hepatic jaundice (when blood has left the liver and is about to be excreted from the body).

Jaundice caused during the pre-hepatic phase is due to the excessive destruction of red blood cells, which can result from various conditions, such as sickle cell disease, malaria, thalassemia (a blood disorder), drug reactions, toxin reactions, or autoimmune diseases. The increase in bilirubin levels present in the bloodstream overwhelms the liver’s ability to metabolize the bilirubin fast enough.

During the hepatic liver phase, when the blood has reached the liver, jaundice may be caused by conditions such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Gilbert’s syndrome, liver disease, liver cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

During the post-hepatic phase, it occurs because of an obstruction in the excretion of the bilirubin drainage in the liver. The obstruction can be caused by certain types of cancer (pancreatic, gallbladder, and bile duct cancers), gallstones, pancreatitis, restriction of the bile ducts, cholangitis (a bacterial infection), and parasites.

It is possible that your doctor may recommend you to undergo a procedure known as an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to determine the cause of the obstruction.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Neonatal

The most prevalent symptom or warning sign of jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

To check an infant for jaundice, press gently on the baby’s forehead or nose. If the skin at the pressed area appears yellow, that is a sign.

Every infant should be examined for jaundice between the third and seventh day after birth because that is when bilirubin levels typically peak.

Symptoms or warning signs of severe jaundice include the following:

• The skin becomes more yellow, and it is noticeable on the abdomen, arms, or legs
• The baby is not gaining weight
• The baby is feeding poorly
• The baby acts sick or is difficult to awaken
• The baby makes high-pitched cries

Adult

Adults with jaundice will have a yellowish discoloration of the skin and may also have yellowing of the whites of the eyes or mucous membranes. The discoloration may be barely detectable in some adults and very obvious in others.

Other symptoms in adults vary, but individuals may experience:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Arthritis
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen
• Rectal bleeding
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Pale-colored stools
• Dark-colored urine
• Weakness

Risk Factors

Neonatal

Premature Birth

According to research published in “Pediatric Nursing”, approximately 80 percent of preterm infants (born before 38 weeks) develop jaundice. This is most likely because the infant’s liver is not mature enough to eliminate the bilirubin in the bloodstream.

Delivery by Vacuum Extractor

A 2001 study published in “Pediatrics” evaluated 2,174 infants during their first days of life and indicated that significant hyperbilirubinemia was strongly associated with delivery by vacuum extractor.

Breastfeeding

Breastfed babies are more prone to developing jaundice than bottle-fed babies. This is known as breast milk jaundice.

One reason for this is that a factor in human milk increases the circulation of bilirubin. Another cause may be that the baby is not consuming enough calories due to breastfeeding difficulties, and this may increase bilirubin concentrations.

Research shows that optimal breastfeeding practices, which result in minimal initial weight loss and early onset of weight gain, are associated with reduced breastfeeding jaundice.

Poor Weight Recovery

Research has discovered that newborns with very low birth weights are more at risk of developing neonatal jaundice. A study published in the “Indian Journal of Pediatrics” evaluated very low-birth-weight infants born between 1995 and 1998. The incidence of significant neonatal jaundice among these infants was 76 percent, and 37 percent required an exchange transfusion.

Blood Type

When the mother and baby have different blood types and the baby receives antibodies from the mother’s blood through the placenta, the baby’s blood cells may break down more rapidly. This creates a sudden build-up of bilirubin in the baby’s blood. This is called incompatibility jaundice, but today it can be prevented by giving the mother Rh immune-globulin injections.

Adult

Although the risk factors for developing adult jaundice vary, some more common examples include:

Hereditary Conditions

Individuals with certain hereditary conditions are at a higher risk of developing it. Some conditions include Gilbert’s syndrome, thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, and hereditary spherocytosis.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

According to research published in “Gastroenterology & Hepatology”, the hallmark of alcoholic hepatitis is jaundice. Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption over a prolonged period. Severe alcoholic hepatitis is marked by bilirubin levels over 10–15 milligrams per deciliter.

Exposure to Viral Infections

Exposure to viral hepatitis B, C, and E, among other types of viral infections, can increase the risk of development.

Conventional Treatment

Neonatal

Light Therapy

Light therapy, or phototherapy, alters the shape and structure of bilirubin molecules so they can be excreted in the urine and stool. The baby is placed under special lighting that does not emit ultraviolet light. This is a relatively common form of therapy for jaundice, and proper nursing care enhances its effectiveness while minimizing complications.

The baby wears a diaper and soft eye patches to protect the eyes from the light. Parents may notice that the baby may have frequent or loose bowel movements that are greenish in color. This is the body removing bilirubin through the stool, and it should only be temporary.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin

If jaundice is caused by a blood type difference between the mother and baby, intravenous immunoglobulin is used to reduce the level of antibodies that the baby is carrying from the mother. This may decrease jaundice because the mother’s antibodies were contributing to the breakdown of blood cells in the baby.

Studies show that IV immunoglobulin effectively reduces serum bilirubin levels and the need for a blood exchange transfusion, a procedure that has potential complications and carries a risk of mortality.

Exchange Transfusion

An exchange transfusion serves as an emergency rescue procedure for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, especially in underdeveloped regions of the world. This treatment involves repeatedly withdrawing small amounts of blood, diluting the bilirubin and mother’s antibodies, and then transferring the blood back into the baby.

An exchange transfusion can be a life-saving intervention in the face of rare but critical jaundice.

Adult

For adult jaundice cases, the treatment plan depends entirely on the underlying cause. This is not a disease that develops independently in adults. It is the result of an already existing condition.

For instance, to treat jaundice caused by alcoholic hepatitis, the individual must first stop drinking alcohol. Jaundice caused by medications or drugs requires the individual to stop using these products.

If the adult with jaundice has an infection, they may be treated with antibiotics. If they have an autoimmune disease, they may be treated with steroids.

If the cause is unclear, the individual undergoes a laboratory workup that measures blood counts and tests for liver function and infectious hepatitis. If the cause remains unclear, doctors use abdominal imaging by ultrasonography or computed tomographic scanning.

Natural Treatment and Prevention

Neonatal

More frequent feedings assist infants in passing the excess bilirubin in their stool. For mothers who are breastfeeding and have a low supply, supplementing with formula may be beneficial until the jaundice is treated.

Symptoms should disappear within one to two weeks, but if they don’t, the infant must see their pediatrician.

According to research published in “Pediatrics Clinic of North America”, excessive frequency of exaggerated jaundice in a hospital or community population of breastfed infants may be a warning that breastfeeding policies and support are not ideal for the establishment of good breastfeeding practices. Mothers who are breastfeeding need support from hospital staff or lactation consultants, especially in the first few days of an infant’s life. This ensures that the infant is eating enough and able to excrete bilirubin properly.

Adult

In order to prevent the development of jaundice, adults should minimize their alcohol consumption, maintain a healthy weight, engage in physical exercise, manage their cholesterol, and avoid hepatitis infections.

Research reveals that alcohol, for example, has been shown to affect bile acid uptake and secretion, resulting in the reduction of bile flow. Chronic alcohol use may damage the biliary system and result in fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, all varying levels of jaundice.

Many drugs have been shown to play a role in the development of this condition as well. Certain drugs should be avoided as they are classically identified with drug-induced liver disease. These include acetaminophen, penicillins, oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), and estrogenic or anabolic steroids.

Conclusion

• Jaundice is a condition where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow, urine darkens, and the stool color becomes lighter than normal. This is a result of the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes.
• Neonatal jaundice occurs in infants who are just days old, and it typically disappears within one to two weeks. It is more common in breastfed babies than in formula-fed babies, and it is more likely to develop in preterm infants or infants who are underweight.
• Adult jaundice occurs as a consequence of a condition or disease that impacts the bilirubin level. If the underlying cause is not discovered and treated, there can be serious or even life-threatening consequences.
• To treat neonatal jaundice, light therapy (or phototherapy) is commonly used in hospitals. More serious and invasive treatments include IV immunoglobulin and exchange transfusion. To treat infant jaundice naturally, mothers should feed their babies more frequently to increase the excretion of bilirubin.
• The treatment plan for adult jaundice depends entirely on the underlying cause. Adults can limit alcohol consumption, maintain a healthy weight, and limit the use of medications that may lead to liver issues.