Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a rare inherited disease that can cause jaundice in infants. Crigler-Najjar syndrome follows an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The problem is an abnormal gene that fails to make an enzyme (bilirubin glucuronyl transferase) that is needed to help metabolize bilirubin. This causes bilirubin to buildup in the bloodstream to dangerous levels.

Bilirubin is one of the by-products that result from the breakdown of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the bloodstream.

This is an extremely rare disorder that affects less than 1 in one million births.