Hepatic jaundice

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

'Hepatic causes' include acute hepatitis, hepatotoxicity and alcoholic liver disease, whereby cell necrosis reduces the liver's ability to metabolise and excrete bilirubin leading to a buildup in the blood. Less common causes include primary biliary cirrhosis,Gilbert's syndrome (a genetic disorder of bilirubin metabolism which can result in mild jaundice, which is found in about 5% of the population) and metastatic carcinoma. Jaundice seen in the newborn, known as neonatal jaundice, is common, occurring in almost every newborn as hepatic machinery for the conjugation and excretion of bilirubin does not fully mature until approximately two weeks of age..

Laboratory Findings: Urine: bilirubin present, Urobilirubin > 2 units but variable (Except in children)