Definition

Image 1 reproduced with permission from CDC/ Dr. Thomas F. Sellers/Emory University

Jaundice is not a disease but a clinical sign also known as ‘icterus’.

It is yellow discolouration of the skin, sclerea and mucous membranes caused by raised plasma bilirubin [1].

Clinical jaundice may only become apparent when serum bilirubin is greater than 51 micromol/L. Normal levels are lower than 21 [1,2].

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