Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

jaundice, congenital hemolytic
See 
spherocy-
tosis, hereditary.
jaundice, hemolytic
Jaundice caused by destruc-
tion of red blood cells. Hemolytic jaundice can be
an inborn condition (as in hereditary spherocyto-
sis) or it can be caused by a blood transfusion from
a different blood group, infection in the blood-
stream (sepsis), or some type of poisoning. Also
known as pre-hepatic jaundice. See also 
spherocy-
tosis, hereditary.
jaundice, hepatocellular
Jaundice caused by
liver disease, as by hepatitis. See also 
hepatitis.
jaundice, neonatal
Jaundice in newborn babies.
Neonatal jaundice is usually due to the breakdown
of red blood cells, which release bilirubin that the
immature liver cannot metabolize and prepare for
excretion into the urine. This type of neonatal jaun-
dice typically appears between the second and fifth
days of life and clears with time, as the liver
matures. Diagnosis is made through observation
and measurement of the blood bilirubin level.
Treatment usually involves timed exposure of the
skin to special lights. Severe jaundice is treated by
removing serum from the body and replacing with
solutions without bilirubin (exchange transfusion).
Also known as newborn jaundice. See also 
jaun-
dice; kernicterus; spherocytosis, hereditary.
jaundice, obstructive
Jaundice caused by
obstruction of the drainage through the bile ducts,
as may occur with gallstones. Symptoms of obstruc-
tive jaundice include the typical yellowing of jaun-
dice as well as dark urine, pale feces, and itching.
Also known as post-hepatic jaundice. Sometimes
the cause of obstructive jaundice is cancer, a condi-
tion referred to as malignant obstructive jaundice.