Someone with jaundice is likely to have a yellow look to their skin and the whites of the eyes. Many newborn babies develop jaundice, but the condition can affect people of all ages. This article looks at older children and adults. Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood and body tissue. That build-up is often due to conditions affecting the liver, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or gallstones. If someone shows signs of jaundice, doctors will look to treat the condition that's causing it rather than jaundice itself.