In the icteric phase of hepatitis, which symptom is indicative of liver dysfunction?

The presence of clay-colored stool is indicative of liver dysfunction during the icteric phase of hepatitis. This symptom arises due to the liver’s impaired ability to produce bile or excrete bilirubin into the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, bile gives stool its characteristic brown color; when liver function is compromised, the bile flow is disrupted, causing stools to appear pale or clay-colored. This change is a direct reflection of the liver's impaired ability to process and excrete bilirubin properly, which can occur in various liver disorders, including hepatitis.

While weight gain, insomnia, and hair loss may be associated with various conditions or lifestyle factors, they are not specifically indicators of liver dysfunction. Weight gain could be a result of fluid retention or other health issues, insomnia may relate to stress or anxiety, and hair loss is often influenced by a variety of factors unrelated to liver function. Thus, clay-colored stool stands out as a clear sign of altered liver function during the icteric phase of hepatitis.