Jaundice, also called icterus, is marked by yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera (white) of the eye, deeper tissues and body fluids. The yellow discoloration is caused due to increased level of bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice is not a disease but it is a symptom that signifies an underlying disorder.

Types of Jaundice
Four main types of jaundice are:

• Hemolytic Jaundice: Hemo means ‘blood’ and lytic means ‘breakdown of cells’; together ‘hemolytic’ means breakdown of red blood cells. In hemolytic jaundice or pre-hepatic jaundice, the bilirubin level is raised due to excess breakdown of red blood cells.
• Obstructive Jaundice: Also known as post-hepatic jaundice is caused by obstruction of bile flow from the liver. This increases the level of bilirubin in the blood, thereby causing obstructive jaundice. Obstructive Jaundice can cause extreme pruritus (itching) due to build up of salt and other biles constituents.
• Hepatocellular Jaundice: This type of jaundice is very common and occurs due to inability of the liver to metabolize and remove bilirubin from the biliary system.
• Neonatal Jaundice: This type of jaundice is usually harmless. Neontal jaundice is marked by yellow discoloration of skin and other tissues of a newborn. The symptoms generally become apparent on the second or fourth day after the baby is born and disappear on it own within two to three weeks.

Jaundice Causes
There are various causes of jaundice:

• Causes of Hemolytic Jaundice: Some of the common causes of hemolytic or prehepatic jaundice are sickle cell anemia, malaria, thalassemia, autoimmune disorders, etc.
• Causes of Obstructive Jaundice: Some of the common causes of obstructive jaundice or post-hepatic jaundice are carcinoma in the bile duct or gall bladder, presence of gallstones in the biliary system, infection by parasites, pancreatitis, etc.
• Causes of Hepatocellular Jaundice: Some of the common causes are cirrhosis, cancer, hepatitis, Gilbert’s syndrome, toxins or drugs, etc.