Yellow discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, or other tissues caused by an increased level of bilirubin in the body.
Bilirubin is produced when hemoglobin from aging red blood cells is broken down. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and helps eliminate it through bile. Jaundice can occur when too much bilirubin is produced, the liver cannot process it effectively, or bile cannot flow normally. Causes range from relatively harmless conditions to serious liver, blood, or bile-duct disorders. In newborns, jaundice is common but sometimes requires medical assessment and treatment.
QUICK FACT
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes (sclera) can be easier to recognize than changes in skin color, particularly in some people with darker skin.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Pallor: unusual paleness, which is not caused by elevated bilirubin.
SEE ALSO