Jaundice

Abstract

Jaundice is a symptom or a physical sign of yellow pigmentation of skin, sclera and mucous membranes resulting from high bilirubin in the plasma. The highest value of normal serum bilirubin is 17.1 μmol/L (1.0 mg/dl), in which conjugated bilirubin is 3.42 μmol/L, and unconjugated bilirubin is 13.68 μmol/L. Jaundice is not prominent when serum bilirubin level is between 17.1 and 34.2 μmol/L, also known as recessive jaundice. The jaundice becomes apparent when bilirubin level reaches 34.2 μmol/L (2.0 mg/dl) or more. Normally, there is a dynamic balance between bilirubin “entering” and “leaving” the blood circulation, which keeps its concentration in the blood relatively constant.