Jaundice is the yellowing of the color of the skin and whites of the eyes. It is caused by the buildup of excess bilirubin in the blood.

Bilirubin is a yellow chemical in your red blood cells. As red blood cells break down, your body builds new cells to replace them. The old ones are then processed by the liver.

Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than the liver can break it down and pass it from the body. This can happen if too many red blood cells are breaking down and going to the liver, if the liver is damaged or blocked, or if bilirubin doesn’t pass through the digestive tract properly.

Causes

Some of the causes of jaundice include:

• Blood diseases
• Genetic syndromes
• Liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
• Blockage of bile ducts
• Infections
• Medicines
• Problems with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas

Symptoms

Jaundice is most common among newborn babies and people with liver infections, gallstones, or substance abuse issues.

The main symptom of jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

Jaundice in babies

Many healthy babies may have jaundice during their first week of life. High levels of bilirubin in babies i.e. above 25 mg, can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or other forms of brain damage.

You should call doctor immediately if:

• Jaundice is noted during the first 24 hours of life
• The jaundice is spreading or getting more intense
• Your baby develops a fever over 100°F (37.8°C) rectally
• If your child starts to look or act sick

While mild or moderate levels of jaundice can go away on its own, babies with high levels of jaundice, are usually treated with phototherapy. Phototherapy is a treatment with a special light that helps the body get rid of bilirubin by altering it or making it easier for your baby’s liver to get rid of it.

Jaundice in Adults

Jaundice in adults usually goes away on its own however,  jaundice may be a sign of other problems.

Treatment

High levels of bilirubin can lead to serious complications if they go untreated for too long.

All cases of jaundice should be evaluated by a doctor and the treatment prescribed will most likely depend on its cause.