Jaundice is not a disease but a symptom. It indicates an underlying illness. In jaundice, the skin, nails and the white part of the eye turn yellowish.

Yes, a newborn can have jaundice. Many times, the liver in babies is not mature enough to remove bilirubin from the body, which leads to jaundice. This is typically harmless and subsides within a week.

Red blood cells in the blood have a yellow substance known as bilirubin. When the RBCs die, the liver removes bilirubin from the body. If there is any problem in the liver, or if there is excess breakdown of red blood cells, the excess bilirubin goes back into the bloodstream giving the yellowish tint to the skin.

You will notice yellowish discolouration of the skin. The white of your eyes turns pale or yellowish. Nails and palms become pale or yellowish. Colour of urine turns dark yellow; the colour of stools becomes pale. You experience fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.

When you notice the symptoms of jaundice mentioned above, you can get the bilirubin levels in the blood checked. In case of jaundice, bilirubin levels will be high. Liver function tests are done to further identify the type of jaundice. Sonography and more blood tests are done to diagnose the cause of jaundice.