Prehepatic jaundice
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
'Pre-hepatic' -(or hemolytic) jaundice is caused by anything which causes an increased rate of hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells). In tropical countries, malaria can cause jaundice in this manner. Certain genetic diseases, such assickle cell anemia and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency can lead to increased red cell lysis and therefore hemolytic jaundice. Commonly, diseases of the kidney, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, can also lead to coloration. Defects in bilirubin metabolism also present as jaundice. Jaundice usually comes with high fevers.
The laboratory findings include
- Urine: no bilirubin present, urobilirubin > 2 units (except in infants where gut flora has not developed).
- Serum: increased unconjugated bilirubin.