Medical Emergency

Often the course of jaundice will be indolent and the emergency physician may only be involved in facilitating the initial investigations and management (with a decision as to whether the patient should be admitted or discharged).

However, it is important to remember that jaundice can reflect a medical emergency. Such cases include:

• Ascending cholangitis
• Fulminant hepatic failure
• Massive haemolysis
• Neonatal jaundice

In these situations, timely diagnosis, resuscitation and initiation of therapy are crucial.