Neonatal jaundice is yellowish discoloration of the skin, conjunctiva, and the sclera from elevated serum or plasma bilirubin in the newborn period. The term jaundice is from the French word "jaune," which means yellow. Neonatal jaundice in most newborns is a mild and transient event. It is, however imperative to identify newborns with jaundice that do not follow this pattern as failure to do so may lead to long-term sequelae.