Jaundice

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns, affecting 50 percent to 60 percent of full term babies, and 80 percent of those born prematurely. It can make your baby's skin and the whites of their eyes to have a yellowish tint.

Jaundice is caused by excess levels of bilirubin, which is a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells breakdown. Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. However, when a newborn's immature liver cannot process bilirubin fast enough, it can build up in their blood, making their skin turn a yellowish color.

In most babies, jaundice goes away on its own or with mild treatment. However, in some cases when a baby has very high levels of bilirubin, close monitoring and treatment in the Intensive Care Nursery may be required. If jaundice is not treated appropriately, a baby may experience permanent damage to their nervous system, called kernicterus, which is a rare condition but can cause deafness, delayed development or a form of cerebral palsy.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007