Evaluation of jaundice in children beyond the neonatal period

Jaundice is an important sign of acute and chronic liver diseases in children and adolescents. The spectrum of aetiologies is broad and differs from those presenting in neonates. Chronic liver disease may not present with jaundice until late in the disease. In contrast, acute onset jaundice may be a sign of severe liver disease which may progress to fulminant liver failure. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and evaluation of liver synthetic function will identify serious conditions that require referral to specialised units for assessment and consideration of liver transplantation. This review provides a systematic approach to the evaluation of jaundice in children and adolescents and an overview of the differential diagnoses.