jaundice (also called icterus) is when the skin and the whites of the eyes become a yellow color. people with jaundice have a problem with their liver, which stops it from removing heme properly. heme (from hemoglobin) changes to a chemical called bilirubin after red blood cell death. bilirubin causes the yellow coloring of the skin. jaundice is common in newly born babies. it usually starts the second day after birth.