Some underlying conditions leading to bilirubin according
to Gillott, (2015) are:
to Gillott, (2015) are:
·
Acute Inflammation of the liver: this may impair the ability of the liver to
conjugate and secrete bilirubin, resulting in build-up of bilirubin.
Acute Inflammation of the liver: this may impair the ability of the liver to
conjugate and secrete bilirubin, resulting in build-up of bilirubin.
·
Inflammation of the bile duct: This prevents the secretion of bile and removal of
bilirubin causing jaundice.
Inflammation of the bile duct: This prevents the secretion of bile and removal of
bilirubin causing jaundice.
·
Obstruction of the bile duct: It prevents the liver from disposing of
bilirubin, which results in hyperbilibinemia.
Obstruction of the bile duct: It prevents the liver from disposing of
bilirubin, which results in hyperbilibinemia.
·
Malaria: A blood borne infection spread by mosquitoes.
Malaria: A blood borne infection spread by mosquitoes.
·
Sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia: An inherited blood disorder where the red blood
cells develop abnormally; its most common among black Caribbean, black African
and black British people.
Sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia: An inherited blood disorder where the red blood
cells develop abnormally; its most common among black Caribbean, black African
and black British people.
·
Crogler-najjar syndrome: A genetic syndrome where an enzyme needed to move
bilirubin out of the blood and into the liver is missing.
Crogler-najjar syndrome: A genetic syndrome where an enzyme needed to move
bilirubin out of the blood and into the liver is missing.
·
Hereditary spherocytosis: A genetic that causes red blood cells to have a
much shorter life span than normal.
Hereditary spherocytosis: A genetic that causes red blood cells to have a
much shorter life span than normal.
·
Viral hepatitis group of infections: Hepatitis A, B and C.
Viral hepatitis group of infections: Hepatitis A, B and C.
·
Alcohol liver disease: Where the liver is damage as a result of drinking
too much alcohol.
Alcohol liver disease: Where the liver is damage as a result of drinking
too much alcohol.
·
Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that is spread by animals,
particularly rats.
Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that is spread by animals,
particularly rats.
·
Glandular Fever: A viral infection caused by the Epetein-Barr
virus.
Glandular Fever: A viral infection caused by the Epetein-Barr
virus.
·
Drug misuse: Leading cause are ecstasy and overdoses of
paracetamol.
Drug misuse: Leading cause are ecstasy and overdoses of
paracetamol.
·
Primary biliary cirrhosis: A rare condition that causes progressive liver
damage.
Primary biliary cirrhosis: A rare condition that causes progressive liver
damage.
·
Gilberts syndrome: A common genetic syndrome where the liver has
problems breaking down bilirubin at a normal rate.
Gilberts syndrome: A common genetic syndrome where the liver has
problems breaking down bilirubin at a normal rate.
·
Liver cancer: A rare and usually incurable cancer that develops
inside the liver.
Liver cancer: A rare and usually incurable cancer that develops
inside the liver.
·
Exposure to substance known to be harmful to the
liver: Such as
phenol (used in the manufacture of plastic or carbon tetrachloride)
Exposure to substance known to be harmful to the
liver: Such as
phenol (used in the manufacture of plastic or carbon tetrachloride)
·
Autoimmune hepatitis: A rare condition where the immune system attacks
the liver.
Autoimmune hepatitis: A rare condition where the immune system attacks
the liver.
·
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: A rare type of liver disease that causes
long-lasting (chronic) inflammation of the liver.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: A rare type of liver disease that causes
long-lasting (chronic) inflammation of the liver.
·
Dubin-Johnson syndrome: A rare genetic syndrome where the liver is unable
to move bilirubin out of the liver.
Dubin-Johnson syndrome: A rare genetic syndrome where the liver is unable
to move bilirubin out of the liver.
·
Gall-Stone: Obstructing the bile duct system.
Gall-Stone: Obstructing the bile duct system.
·
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can either be
acute pancreatitis (lasting for a few days) or chronic pancreatitis (lasting
for many years)
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can either be
acute pancreatitis (lasting for a few days) or chronic pancreatitis (lasting
for many years)
Reference
Gillott, C. (2015): “What is jaundice? What causes
jaundice? What is icterus?” Human Anatomy and Physiology, (10th ed),
Benjamin Cummings, Pearson, USA.
jaundice? What is icterus?” Human Anatomy and Physiology, (10th ed),
Benjamin Cummings, Pearson, USA.
