Which condition is a pre-hepatic cause of jaundice?

Jaundice, characterized by the yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur due to various underlying conditions, which are categorized into pre-hepatic, hepatic, and post-hepatic causes. Pre-hepatic jaundice is primarily due to factors that lead to increased production of bilirubin before it is processed by the liver.

Hemolysis is the correct choice as a pre-hepatic cause of jaundice because it involves the breakdown of red blood cells at an accelerated rate, resulting in an increased release of bilirubin—specifically unconjugated bilirubin. The liver can become overwhelmed by the amount of bilirubin resulting from hemolysis and thus cannot process it efficiently enough, leading to elevated levels in the blood, which manifests as jaundice.

Conditions like hepatitis and cirrhosis are hepatic causes, as they affect the liver's ability to process bilirubin, usually due to liver damage or inflammation. Gilbert's syndrome, while it involves the metabolism of bilirubin, affects the liver's conjugation processes and is considered a hepatic condition rather than pre-hepatic. Thus, hemolysis stands out as the primary pre-hepatic cause in the context of jaundice.