Kathlyn A.

Pactoranan
BSN 2D

Table of Comparison between Pathologic and Physiologic Jaundice below the

table.
Pathologic Jaundice
In a healthy neonate, jaundice can appear because of increased hemolysis and the
immaturity of the liver to rapidly metabolize the bilirubin produced during the
process. This is known as physiological jaundice.
Physiologic Jaundice
Pathological jaundice can occur in any person and is a result of an ongoing
pathological process that interrupts the normal bilirubin metabolism.

Pathologic Jaundice Physiologic Jaundice

Pathology Pathology
There is no underlying pathology. There is an underlying pathology.
Victims Victims
Physiological jaundice is seen in Pathological jaundice can occur in both
neonates. adults and children
Treatment Treatment
No treatment is required. The patient should be treated according
to the underlying cause of jaundice

What are the causes of physiological and pathological jaundice for each stage of
metabolism?
Jaundice is the most common condition that requires medical attention and hospital
readmission in newborns.  The yellow coloration of the skin and sclera in newborns
with jaundice is the result of accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin. In most
infants, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia reflects a normal transitional
phenomenon. However, in some infants, serum bilirubin levels may rise
excessively, which can be cause for concern because unconjugated bilirubin is
neurotoxic and can cause death in newborns and lifelong neurologic sequelae in
infants who survive 
stages Pathologic Jaundice Physiologic Jaundice
Production Shortened RBC lifespan Conditions that lead to
Neonates have more RBCs per haemolysis
Kathlyn A. Pactoranan
BSN 2D

kg than adults e.g., infection; congenital

RBC production is inefficient abnormalities like
therefore more immature, spherocytosis, ABO, Rh
malformed cells disease; enzyme deficiencies
Enterohepatic shunting like G6PD and galactosemia:
enclosed haemorrhage like
bruising, cephalohaematoma
and polycythaemia
Transport Neonates have less albumin, Albumin levels are even lower
especially those born in malnourished infants
premature. Drugs that compete for albumin
binding sites
Hypothermia and acidosis
interfere with albumin binding
Total parenteral nutrition
Conjugation Neonates are initially low in Hypoxemia (oxygen is required
intracellular carrier proteins. for liver function/conjugation)
Conjugation enzymes activity Hypoglycaemia (glucose is
is low for the first 24 hours needed for conjugation)
after birth. The activity levels Decreased liver perfusion
is even lower in the preterm (hypoxic and ischaemic
baby. episodes)
Sepsis can alter the liver's
ability to function/conjugate
Endocrine disorders can affect
conjugation enzyme activity
Excretion Enterohepatic shunting is Any cause of gut obstruction
increased due to decreased gut e.g. atresia, meconium ileus
flora, resulting in less Hepatic obstruction e.g., biliary
conjugated bilirubin converting atresia, cystic fibrosis
to urobilinogen and available Biliary stasis caused by hepatitis
to be cleaved to unconjugated or other obstruction Saturation
bilirubin by B-glucuronidase of protein carriers that carry
conjugated bilirubin into
the biliary tree (backlog)
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974786-overview