An inherited disorder characterized by mild jaundice throughout life.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Dubin-Johnson syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. The transport of bilirubin from the liver into the biliary system is abnormal and the bilirubin accumulates in the liver. Affected people have life-long low-grade jaundice which may be aggravated by alcohol, pregnancy , infection, and other environmental factors.
Signs and tests
Tests which may be abnormal include:
chem-20 to check bilirubin levels
blood chemistry (may show sulfobromophthalein retention) Liver biopsy
Treatment
No specific treatment is available.
Expectations (prognosis)
Dubin-Johnson syndrome is compatible with a normal life span.
Complications
Complications are unusual but may include:
severe jaundice
reduced liver function
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
jaundice is severe jaundice progressively worsens abdominal pain or other symptoms are also present (there may be another disorder causing the jaundice)
Prevention
Genetic counseling may be valuable for prospective parents with a family history of Dubin-Johnson syndrome.