Types of Jaundice

Jaundice is grouped by where the problem occurs and by who is affected.

By cause (medical types)

• Pre-hepatic (haemolytic) jaundice: too much bilirubin from red cell breakdown. Urine is usually normal in colour and stools are dark.
• Hepatic (hepatocellular) jaundice: from liver cell damage, such as hepatitis, alcohol, medicines and cirrhosis. Urine is often dark.
• Post-hepatic (obstructive) jaundice: bile cannot drain because of stones, tumours or narrowing. Urine is dark, stools pale and itching is common.

By bilirubin type

• Unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin is raised in haemolysis and Gilbert syndrome.
• Conjugated (direct) bilirubin is raised in liver and bile duct disease.

Newborn jaundice

• Physiological jaundice: appears after 24 hours, peaks around day 3 to 5 and fades by about 2 weeks
• Breastfeeding jaundice: from low milk intake in the first days
• Breast milk jaundice: later and usually harmless
• Pathological jaundice: appears in the first 24 hours or rises fast, linked to blood group mismatch or infection and needs urgent care

By duration

• Acute, such as viral hepatitis
• Chronic, such as long-term liver or bile duct disease

Ayurvedic grouping

Ayurveda describes kamala types such as kosthashakhashrita and shakhashrita, and the severe form kumbha kamala. These are traditional categories and do not match modern classification.

Key point

The type guides tests and treatment, and obstructive jaundice and newborn jaundice in the first day are the most urgent.

Before your appointment

Note when the yellow colour began and the colour of your urine and stools. List all medicines, herbs, supplements and alcohol use. Mention fever, itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, recent travel, injections, transfusions, tattoos and contact with others with jaundice. For a baby, note birth date, feeding pattern, wet nappies and the mother's blood group. Ask about tests, the likely cause and which signs need urgent care. Call 112 for confusion, bleeding or severe pain with fever.