An Introduction to Anemia and Bilirubinemia

In this report, we provide an overview of two serious medical conditions, anemia and bilirubinemia (commonly known as jaundice), which are associated with changes in the contents of specific chromophores present in the blood stream. In general terms, anemia results from a decrease in the hemoglobin content, while jaundice results from an increase in the bilirubin content. Both of them have a significant impact on public health worldwide, with anemia being more prevalent among women of childbearing age, and janudice more common among neonates due their underdeveloped liver. In the remainder of this report, we briefly address their causes, types, symptoms and treatment options. In Section 2, we examine these points with respect to anemia, and in Section 3 with respect to jaundice. This report closes with a summary and general observations about these two medical conditions.