Define and classify jaundice. How will you differentiate different types of jaundice biochemically.

Jaundice: jaundice is a clinical condition characterized by yellow coloration of skin, sclera and mucous membrane due to increased bilirubin concentration in body fluid.

Types of jaundice:

1.      Hemolytic

2.      Hepatocellular

3.      Obstructive

Laboratory picture in different types of jaundice:

Parameter	Hemolytic	Obstructive	Hepatocellular
Serum bilirubin	↑	↑↑↑	↑↑
Types of bilirubin	Unconjugated	Conjugated	Both
Urinary urobilinogen	↑	↓	Normal or ↑
Urinary bilirubin	Nil	Present	Present
Fecal stercobilinogen	↑	↓	↓
Bile salt	Nil	Present	Present
Serum ALP	Normal	↑↑↑	↑
Serum ALT	Normal	↑	↑↑↑