Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

Excess bilirubin causes the yellowish or jaundiced color of the skin. Jaundice first appears in the infant's face, especially the eyes, and as bilirubin levels increase, the yellow color becomes evident on the rest of the body.

Direct Jaundice

Doctors use the term "direct jaundice" when liver damage or a liver problem present at birth is the cause.

Indirect Jaundice

"Indirect jaundice" is more common in normal newborn babies. In a full-term baby, it often occurs when an infant is learning to breastfeed and the volume of milk they're getting is low. In infants born too early, the liver may not be mature enough to metabolize the bilirubin.