Neonatal jaundice

A liver condition that causes yellowing of a newborn baby's skin and eyes.

Overview

Neonatal jaundice is common in preterm babies. The cause is often an immature liver. Infection, medicines or blood disorders may cause more-serious cases.

Symptoms

Symptoms include yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes that appears within days after birth.

Treatments

In most cases, treatment isn't needed. Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, and blood transfusions can help resolve moderate or severe cases.