Hi,
Thanks for using the HCM. I am happy to address your questions, jaundice is a symptom of many medical problems but it is most often associated with conditions of the liver or the
gallbladder. Jaundice causes yellow skin and eyes because of an excess amount of the bile pigment
bilirubin in the fat layer under the skin. Either the body is producing too much, or it's not getting rid of it fast enough. The liver breaks down old, inefficient red blood cells in a process called hemolysis. This releases large amounts of bilirubin. Some causes of jaundice due to poor liver function include
viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E can all cause temporary liver inflammation. Types B and C can also cause chronic, lifelong inflammation. Cause of jaundice due to obstruction (blockage) include gallstones formed in the gallbladder, other can be due to excessive red blood cell destruction as in malaria, the liver destroys red blood cells infected with the parasite. If a fever or
flu-like illness comes before jaundice, it's usually a sign of a viral hepatitis infection. Brown urine, common in hepatitis, is generally a sign of poor liver function or increased red blood cell destruction. The body is trying to get rid of excess bilirubin in the urine. Pale, white, or clay-coloured stool, on the other hand, is an indicator of obstruction in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Jaundice itself is unlikely to hurt you unless the bilirubin reaches very high concentrations. It is a sign, however, of an underlying problem. Would recommend you show your child to a doctor if you think you have jaundice. A blood sample will also be taken and checked for hepatitis virus
antibodies, abnormal red blood cells, bilirubin levels, and various other substances that give clues about liver function. Your doctor may also order other tests such as an
ultrasound to determine the cause of jaundice. There's no treatment for jaundice as such, since it's not a disease but a sign of a medical problem. The approach is to treat the underlying cause, if possible. Many, like hepatitis A, aren't curable but go away on their own. Usually treatment is unnecessary. Conditions like
chronic hepatitis are lifelong problems that may cause permanent or recurring jaundice. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help. Thanks