ICTERUS PRAECOX Meaning and
Definition
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Icterus praecox is a medical condition characterized by the presence of jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and eyes, in newborn babies within the first 24 hours of life. The term "icterus" refers to the yellow discoloration caused by excessive levels of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. "Praecox" means early or premature, emphasizing the early onset of jaundice in affected infants.
This condition occurs due to the inadequate breakdown or processing of bilirubin in the liver. Normally, the liver removes bilirubin from the bloodstream and excretes it in the bile to be eliminated from the body through the digestive system. However, in cases of icterus praecox, there may be an underlying issue with the liver's ability to efficiently metabolize bilirubin, leading to its accumulation in the body.
Icterus praecox can result from various factors, including liver dysfunction, infections, blood type incompatibility between the baby and mother, as well as other genetic or metabolic disorders. The buildup of excessive bilirubin in the body can have harmful effects, potentially leading to complications such as brain damage if left untreated.
Treatment for icterus praecox typically involves phototherapy, where affected infants are exposed to specific wavelengths of light that help convert the bilirubin into a more easily excretable form. In some cases, exchange transfusion may be necessary to replace the baby's blood with healthy donor blood to lower bilirubin levels. Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial to managing this condition effectively and preventing potential complications.
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Jaundice occurring in secondary syphilis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ICTERUS PRAECOX
- ucterus praecox
- jcterus praecox
- kcterus praecox
- octerus praecox
- 9cterus praecox
- 8cterus praecox
- ixterus praecox
- ivterus praecox
- ifterus praecox
- idterus praecox
- icrerus praecox
- icferus praecox
- icgerus praecox
- icyerus praecox
- ic6erus praecox
- ic5erus praecox
- ictwrus praecox
- ictsrus praecox
- ictdrus praecox
- ictrrus praecox
Etymology of ICTERUS PRAECOX
The term "icterus praecox" is a medical term that combines two words: "icterus" and "praecox". Here is the etymology of each:
1. Icterus:
The word "icterus" comes from the Greek word "ikteros", meaning "jaundice". "Icterus" found its way into Latin as "icterus" before being adopted into English. It refers to a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, which is caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the blood.
2. Praecox:
The word "praecox" comes from the Latin word "prae", meaning "before", and "cox", meaning "mature". It is often used in medical terminology to indicate an early onset or premature occurrence of a particular condition or disease.
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