Why Steatorrhea Occurs in Obstructive Jaundice?

Fat absorption is dependent upon bile (which is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder), pancreatic lipases (enzymes that break down fat), and normal intestine function. Absence of bile is often due to blockage of the biliary tract and can result in pale colored fatty stool and jaundice.

What is the reason for steatorrhea in case of obstructive jaundice?

Here, the reduction in bile flow results in the accumulation of toxic bile products, which leads to biliary epithelial damage. [21] This decrease in bile reaching the small bowel interferes with fat absorption and causes steatorrhea in these patients.

Can obstructive jaundice cause steatorrhea?

CAUSES. Pancreatic damage must be extensive to cause steatorrhoea, and may be due to chronic pancreatitis, to extensive carcinoma of the gland (in which case involvement of the bile-duct often causes obstructive jaundice), or, very rarely, to deposition of iron in haemochromatosis.