Hello, I'm a medical expert with a deep understanding of various health conditions. I'm here to help clarify complex medical topics.

Pathological jaundice is a condition characterized by an excessive buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream, leading to the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. In a healthy individual, the liver processes bilirubin and excretes it in bile, which eventually passes through the digestive system and is eliminated from the body. However, in cases of pathological jaundice, this process is disrupted, and bilirubin levels rise, causing the symptoms.

The causes of pathological jaundice can be pre-hepatic, hepatic, or post-hepatic:


1. Pre-hepatic jaundice is often due to the overproduction of bilirubin, which can occur with conditions that lead to the rapid destruction of red blood cells, such as hemolytic anemia.


2. Hepatic jaundice is caused by liver diseases that impair the liver's ability to process bilirubin. This can be due to hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other liver damage.


3. Post-hepatic jaundice is a result of blocked bile ducts, which can be caused by gallstones, tumors, or inflammation.

In newborns, a common form of jaundice is physiological jaundice, which is generally mild and not pathological. However, when jaundice in newborns is severe or persists beyond the first week, it may be considered pathological and requires medical attention.

Treatment for pathological jaundice depends on the underlying cause and may include phototherapy, medication, or in severe cases, exchange transfusion.

read more >>

Features of pathologic jaundice include the appearance of jaundice within 24 hours after birth, a rapidly rising total serum bilirubin concentration (increase of more than 5 mg per dL per day), and a total serum bilirubin level higher than 17 mg per dL in a full-term newborn.3,5 Other features of concern include ...read more >>