Jaundice is yellow discoloration of the tissues, noticed especially in the skin and sclera (Figs 28, 37), due to accumulation of bilirubin. For jaundice to be clinically apparent, the circulating bilirubin levels should be in excess of 35 μmol/L. Jaundice may be prehepatic (due to haemolysis), hepatic (due to intrinsic liver disease) or cholestatic (due to either intrahepatic cholestasis or post-hepatic biliary tract obstruction). Figure 37 Jaundiced sclera in a patient with hepatitis.
Jaundice
Mild jaundice is evident in the sclera. There is no obvious jaundice in the skin. Jaundice in the sclera is usually clinically apparent when the circulating bilirubin levels are in excess of 35 μmol/L.
