Risk Factors for Jaundice

print the page

email the page

Risk factors for jaundice

There are a number of risk factors associated with the development of jaundice:

Certain rare conditions

There are a number of rare conditions which have jaundice as a distinguishing symptom of the disorder. Some of these rare conditions are: Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Gilbert's syndrome, Lucey-Driscoll syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, Rotor's syndrome.

Haemolytic anaemia

People with haemolytic anaemia, a condition which causes destruction of the haemolytic blood cells, are at risk of developing anaemia. This is due to the body's inability to recycle the bilirubin from the red blood cells in the liver and this causes a build-up in the body and jaundice ensues.

Hepatitis

People with hepatitis (especially autoimmune or viral hepatitis) are highly at risk of developing jaundice as a symptom of their condition. This is due to the liver being unable to recycle the bilirubin as it is not functioning properly, so the bilirubin builds up in the body and jaundice ensues.

Liver bile duct problems

People who have functional problems with the bile ducts in their liver can develop jaundice, as the bile is part of the process the liver uses to recycle the bilirubin and if the bile is not able to be produced properly, this means that there can be a build-up of bilirubin in the body and jaundice occurs as a result of the malfunction.

Malaria

The effect of the mosquito parasite on the liver causes it to be unable to function properly. This means that the bilirubin cannot be recycled in the liver and jaundice can ensue as a result. Jaundice is a very common symptoms of malaria.

Newborn baby

It is quite normal for healthy babies to have some jaundice. Many health babies will get jaundice in their first week of life which usually goes away within a week of its onset.

^ top

Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

< 4: prevention 6: complications >

Last reviewed: 29 January 2009 || Last updated: 21 December 2009

Alpha-lipoic acid (other nutrients)
Carnitine (amino acids)
Choline (vitamins)
Co-enzyme Q10 (other nutrients)
Cysteine (amino acids)
Essential amino acids (glossary)
Fever (glossary)
Fever (health conditions)
Folic acid (vitamins)
Fruit (food groups)
Glutathione (amino acids)
Immune system (glossary)
Lecithin (other nutrients)
Liver cirrhosis (conditions)
Malaria (conditions)
Methionine (amino acids)
Milk thistle (other nutrients)
Omega-3 (glossary)
Q Fever (conditions)
Red blood cells (glossary)
Thymus gland (glossary)
Vegetables (food groups)
Vitamin A (vitamins)
Vitamin C (vitamins)
Vitamin E (vitamins)
Vitamin K (vitamins)
White blood cells (glossary)

NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.

Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

^ top

Health Conditions - For Everyone