Rotor's syndrome is a rare inherited disease that can cause jaundice in an infant or young child. An abnormal gene causes bilirubin to buildup in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is one of the by-products from the breakdown of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the bloodstream. High bilirubin levels cause jaundice.

Rotor's syndrome follows an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. This condition was indistinguishable from Dubin Johnson syndrome, until it was discovered that Dubin Johnson syndrome also causes pigmentation of the liver cells.