Jaundice of the Newborn
Definition: "Jaundice of the newborn" is a condition that affects some babies shortly after they are born. It causes their skin and the whites of their eyes to look yellow. This happens because of a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells.
Usage Instructions: - Use "jaundice of the newborn" when talking about this specific condition in infants. - It’s usually described by doctors or healthcare professionals.
Example: - "The doctor said that my baby has jaundice of the newborn, but it should go away on its own in a few days."
Advanced Usage: - In medical discussions, you might encounter terms like "hyperbilirubinemia," which means too much bilirubin in the blood and is often the cause of jaundice in newborns.
Word Variants: - "Jaundice" (noun) - the general term for the yellowing of the skin or eyes, not just in newborns. - "Jaundiced" (adjective) - describes someone or something that has a yellowish color, often used metaphorically to suggest a biased or cynical viewpoint.
Different Meanings: - Outside of medical contexts, "jaundiced" can refer to a negative or cynical outlook. For example, someone who is "jaundiced in their view of the world" may be overly critical or pessimistic.
Synonyms: - For the medical condition in newborns, there are not many direct synonyms, but you might hear phrases like "neonatal jaundice" or "physiologic jaundice." - For the metaphorical use of "jaundiced," synonyms might include "biased," "prejudiced," or "cynical."
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "jaundice of the newborn," but the phrase "to see through jaundiced eyes" can mean to view something negatively or with skepticism.
In summary, "jaundice of the newborn" refers to a common, usually harmless condition in infants characterized by yellowing skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels.