a very sick me

Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes due to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood, and a pretty good sign that there’s something seriously wrong with a person’s liver.

Infants often get it starting on their 2nd day in the world. It usually resolves itself within the first week, without any intervention needed, however in extreme cases a brain-damaging condition known as kernicterus can occur. There are concerns that this condition has been rising in recent years due to inadequate detection and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Neonatal jaundice is also a risk factor for hearing loss.