LAB DIAGNOSIS OF JAUNDICE & VANDENBERGH REACTION

DEFINITION -

Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane due to hyperbilirubinemia and deposition of bile pigments.

•It is clinically detectable when the plasma bilirubin exceeds >3 mg/dl.

•Jaundice is the clinical term.

•Icterus is the Greek term for jaundice

•Normal plasma bilirubin level ranges from 0.2–0.8 mg/ dL.

•The Unconjugated Bilirubin is about 0.2–0.6 mg/dL,

while Conjugated Bilirubin is about 0–0.2 mg/dL.

•If the plasma bilirubin level exceeds 1 mg/dL, the condition is called hyperbilirubinemia.

•Levels between 1 and 2 mg/dL are indicative of latent jaundice.

 CAUSES OF JAUNDICE

SAMPLES USED FOR DIAGNOSIS OF JAUNDICE

1.     Blood

2.     Urine

3.     Stool

1.LAB DIAGNOSIS USING BLOOD SAMPLE

Tests to assess serum bilirubin- Vandenberg Reaction

• Bilirubin reacts with diazo reagent (diazotized sulfanilic acid) to produce colored azo pigment.
• At pH 5, the pigment is purple in color.
• Conjugated bilirubin, being water-soluble gives the color immediately; hence called Direct reaction.
• Unconjugated bilirubin is water-insoluble.
• It has to be extracted first with alcohol, and then the reaction becomes positive; hence called Indirect reaction.
• If both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin is present in increased amounts, purple color is produced immediately and the color is intensified on the addition of alcohol. Then, the reaction is called a biphasic reaction.

2. LAB DIAGNOSIS USING URINE SAMPLE

3.LAB DIAGNOSIS USING STOOL SAMPLE