Definition

Noun: A common, typically harmless condition in newborn infants characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes (sclera). This appearance is caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. The condition is usually temporary and resolves on its own without medical intervention.

Usage

This is a medical term used specifically to describe the common, physiological form of jaundice appearing in the first few days of a baby's life. It is often contrasted with more severe or pathological forms of jaundice that may require treatment.

Examples

• The pediatrician assured the parents that the baby's jaundice of the newborn was mild and would likely clear up within a week.
• While jaundice of the newborn is very common, doctors still monitor bilirubin levels to ensure they do not become dangerously high.
• Phototherapy is a standard treatment for severe cases, but most instances of jaundice of the newborn subside spontaneously.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used interchangeably with "physiological jaundice" in medical contexts to specify the normal, self-limiting process.
• It can be part of a differential diagnosis, as in: "We must determine if this is simply jaundice of the newborn or a sign of a more serious liver condition."

Variants and Related Words

• Physiological Jaundice (n): A more precise medical synonym for jaundice of the newborn, emphasizing its normal, non-pathological nature.
• Neonatal Jaundice (n): A broader term that encompasses all forms of jaundice in newborns, including both physiological and pathological types.
• Hyperbilirubinemia (n): The medical term for high bilirubin levels in the blood, which is the direct cause of the yellow appearance.

Synonyms

• Physiological jaundice
• Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (in a general sense)

Related Phrases/Idioms

This is a specific medical term and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. yellowish appearance in newborn infants; usually subsides spontaneously