emDOCs Podcast – Episode 25 - March 30, 2021 - By Brit Long
“Background:
- Jaundice is due to elevated serum bilirubin and yellow bilirubin pigment deposition. Patients often present with symptoms due to the underlying cause of the jaundice.
- Frequency and etiology of the condition varies, with over 52,000 ED visits per year for jaundice.
- Literature suggests the most frequent causes are ischemic liver injury, pancreatic/biliary carcinoma, gallstones, and alcoholic cirrhosis.
- Viral-induced and drug-related causes (acetaminophen) also account for a significant number.
- Normal serum bilirubin concentration is < 1 mg/dL, and jaundice is not usually detectable until 2.5 mg/dL”