Kernicterus is a serious condition that occurs when high levels of bilirubin build up in a newborn's blood. This usually happens in babies with jaundice, a common condition where the skin and eyes turn yellow due to excess bilirubin. If not treated promptly, the bilirubin can damage the brain and lead to long-term complications. The condition is most often seen in premature infants or those with blood type incompatibility, such as Rh disease or ABO incompatibility. Early detection and treatment of jaundice, often through phototherapy or exchange transfusion, can help prevent kernicterus and protect the baby's health.