Jaundice
Jaundice can develop when red blood cells break down and bilirubin is not removed by the liver. It is normal for some red blood cells to die every day. Jaundice is common in babies but also occurs in some adults. When too much bilirubin builds up in the body, the skin and whites of the eyes might look yellow. This yellow coloring is called jaundice.
Jaundice usually appears first on the face and then moves to the chest, belly, arms, and legs as bilirubin levels get higher. The whites of the eyes can also look yellow. Jaundice can be harder to see in people with darker skin color. A blood test will tell you how much bilirubin is in the blood.
Jaundice in adults is usually caused by a disorder of the liver. This commonly occurs in persons dependent on alcohol.
About 60% of babies have jaundice. Some babies are more likely to have severe jaundice and higher bilirubin levels than others. A baby with a brother or sister that had jaundice is more likely to develop jaundice.
A baby who is not eating, wetting, or stooling well in the first few days of life is more likely to get jaundice. A baby who has bruises at birth is more likely to have jaundice. A baby born to an East-Asian or Mediterranean family is at a higher risk of becoming very jaundiced. Some families inherit conditions (such as G6PD), and their babies are more likely to become jaundiced. Babies born before 37 weeks, or 8 1/2 months, of pregnancy may become jaundiced because their liver may not be fully developed. The young liver may not be able to get rid of so much bilirubin. If too many red blood cells break down at the same time, the baby can become very yellow or may even look orange. Women with an O blood type or Rh negative blood factor might have babies with higher bilirubin levels.
When severe jaundice goes untreated for too long, it can cause brain damage and a condition called Kernicterus. Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that causes athetoid cerebral palsy and hearing loss. It also causes problems with vision and teeth and sometimes can cause mental retardation. This does not mean that every person with yellow skin will develope brain damage. Most babies with jaundice get better by themselves.