A raised blood level of bilirubin. It may be undetectable except by a blood test, but jaundice occurs if the blood bilirubin rises to twice the normal level.
n. an excess of the *bile pigment bilirubin in the blood leading to the development of jaundice. Transient mild hyperbilirubinaemia may occur in the absence of significant liver disease (see Gilbert’s syndrome).
Disorders resulting from abnormalities in any of the components of blood or from infection. Disorders include types of anaemia, polycythaemia, bleeding disorders, and unwanted clot formation (thrombosis), hypoalbuminaemia (albumin deficiency) and agammaglobulinaemia (deficiency of gamma-globulin). Blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and haemophilia are inherited. Bone marrow cancers that affect production of blood components include leukaemia, polycythaemia vera, and multiple myeloma. Blood poisoning is usually due to septicaemia or a toxin such as carbon monoxide. Some drugs can cause blood abnormalities as a side effect. (See also anaemia, haemolytic; anaemia, iron-deficiency; anaemia, megaloblastic; malaria; hyperbilirubinaemia.)... blood, disorders of
familial unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia: a condition due to a congenital deficiency of the enzyme UDP glucuronyl transferase in liver cells that is inherited as an autosomal *dominant or autosomal *recessive characteristic. Patients become mildly jaundiced, especially if they fast, overexert themselves, or have concomitant infection. Most patients are diagnosed following investigation of mildly abnormal liver function tests. The condition is lifelong but of little clinical consequence. [N. A. Gilbert (1858–1927), French physician]... gilbert’s syndrome
a test to determine whether excess bilirubin in the blood is conjugated or unconjugated, and therefore whether jaundice in a patient is due to *haemolysis or to disease of the liver or bile duct. A sample of serum is mixed with sulphanilic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sodium nitrite. The immediate appearance of a violet colour is called a direct reaction and indicates that the jaundice is due to liver damage or obstruction of the bile duct. If the colour appears only when alcohol is added, this is an indirect reaction and points to haemolytic jaundice or a congenital unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (see Gilbert’s syndrome). [A. A. H. van den Bergh (1869–1943), Dutch physician]... van den bergh’s test
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