Kids can appear yellow due to a condition called jaundice, which is often related to high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
What is Jaundice?
Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This yellowing happens when there's too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Usually, the liver processes bilirubin, allowing it to be excreted from the body.
Why does it happen in kids?
In newborns, jaundice is common because their livers are not yet fully developed and may not be able to process bilirubin efficiently. According to the provided reference, jaundice occurs when bilirubin cannot be removed from the body fast enough and levels in the blood become too high. The buildup of bilirubin causes the skin and the white part of the eyes to appear yellow.
There are a couple of main types of jaundice that affect infants:
- Physiologic jaundice: This is the most common type. It happens because a newborn's liver is still maturing.
Symptoms of Jaundice
- Yellowing of the skin
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
When to seek medical help
If you notice signs of jaundice in your child, it's important to consult a doctor. While mild jaundice often resolves on its own, more severe cases may require treatment to prevent complications.
