WHAT IS JAUNDICE? Jaundice is a medical condition where the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. The yellow color comes from a buildup of a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a normal byproduct produced when red blood cells get broken down. Bilirubin is normally processed by the liver. However, a baby’s liver is not fully developed and is unable to handle all the bilirubin, causing the buildup. Learn more about Jaundice here.