Bilirubin is majorly a product of RBC turnover. The heme group of hemoglobin is catalyzed by the action of microsomal heme oxygenase to produce biliverdin which is further acted upon by biliverdin reductase to form bilirubin. A majority (~99.99%) of the unconjugated bilirubin binds to albumin for transportation in blood. Bilirubin levels in serum are an indicator of liver health an increase in the serum bilirubin beyond normal values i.e., < 0.3 mg/dl is noted is called hyperbilirubinemia. Hyperbilirubinemia may lead to severe neurological damage in newborns. Hyperbilirubinemia may be diagnosed by comparing the levels of free and total bilirubin in the blood. The present review details the complications of hyperbilirubinemia and various methods of its diagnosis.