aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

The most common cause of a pre-hepatic jaundice is physiological neonatal jaundice.

Less common causes include:

  • haemolytic anaemia - immune or autoimmune
  • red cell abnormalities causing haemolysis - hereditary spherocytosis
  • ineffective erythropoiesis e.g. pernicious anaemia
  • severe rhabdomyolysis with release of myoglobin
  • bleeding into tissues e.g. in sports injuries
  • congenital deficiency of conjugating enzymes:
    • Gilbert's syndrome
    • Crigler Najjar syndrome
  • breast milk jaundice