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We've also provided information from the most-respected Jaundice
in Healthy Newborns A common condition in newborns, jaundice
refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes
caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced
by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, bilirubin
passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the
intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than
a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body.
Reasons for this include: - Newborns make more bilirubin than
adults do since they have more turnover of red blood cells. - A
newborn baby's still-developing liver may not yet be able to
remove adequate bilirubin from the blood. - Too large an amount
of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby
gets rid of it in the stool. High levels of bilirubin — usually
above 25 mg — can c