So, I am a little confused as to the difference between these two terms if there even is a difference. Some texts say that jaundice a yellowing of the skin, while icterus is a yellowing of the sclera. Others say that they both refer to a yellowing of the skin and sclera. Still others say that jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and sclera, but that icterus is a state of elevated serum bilirubin leading to the jaundice. So which of these is actually the case?🙂 BTW, it looks like the smiley has jaundice himself...
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Step I Jaundice versus icterus...
Started by CBG23
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I'm on peds right now, and I talked to my attending about this yesterday.
He says that they are often used interchangeably, but that icterus is really just the sclera. Or at least that was his understanding of it.
I'm not entirely certain that it matters. Except maybe that the scleral icterus might persist a little longer after the jaundice has resolved.
To be honest, the guy has such a thick accent, and a raspy voice, that I don't always understand exactly what he's saying. But that was what I gathered from our conversation.
He says that they are often used interchangeably, but that icterus is really just the sclera. Or at least that was his understanding of it.
I'm not entirely certain that it matters. Except maybe that the scleral icterus might persist a little longer after the jaundice has resolved.
To be honest, the guy has such a thick accent, and a raspy voice, that I don't always understand exactly what he's saying. But that was what I gathered from our conversation.
