Final answer:
Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a condition caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood, leading to a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. It results from the impaired breakdown and excretion of bilirubin, a byproduct of hemoglobin from red blood cells. Jaundice is classified based on its underlying causes, such as haemolytic, hepatic, and chronic idiopathic jaundice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease characterized by abnormally high levels of bilirubin that causes a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes is known as jaundice or icterus. Jaundice occurs when there is an accumulation of hemoglobin degradation products, notably bilirubin, which leaks out of hemopoietic tissues into the blood and then diffuses into peripheral tissues. The normal concentration of bilirubin in the blood is less than 1 mg/100ml. When levels rise above 2 mg/100 ml, the condition can result in a visible yellow tint to the tissues, known as jaundice.
There are three classifications of jaundice: haemolytic jaundice, which is due to excessive breakdown of red blood cells; hepatic jaundice, which arises from liver damage caused by factors like alcoholism, toxins, or infections; and chronic idiopathic jaundice, an autosomal recessive disorder affecting bile pigment excretion. In all cases, the breakdown and removal of bilirubin are impaired, leading to its accumulation and the yellowish discoloration associated with jaundice.