Biliary atresia
Normally, bile produced from the liver will drain into the intestine (duodenum) through the bile duct. Absence of the bile duct (i.e) developmental abnormality at birth itself is known as Biliary atresia. Hence, child will have persistence, progressive jaundice from 2nd week of birth onwards. This will cause cholestatic jaundice initially and progress to biliary cirrhosis to the child. It is the most common indication of liver transplantation in children. If we diagnose the disease at early and if we perform Kasai’s procedure (hepatoportoenterstomy) before 45 days of life, outcome will be good.
Symptoms:
- Jaundice
- Pale coloured stool
- Failure to thrive
- Abdomen distension due to ascites (late stage)
Others:
- Wilsons disease
- Alagille syndrome
- Neonatal hepatitis
- Chronic choestatic hepatitis
- Primary hyperoxaluria
- Glycogen storage disease
- Hepatoblastoma
What is jaundice?
Jaundice (yellowish discolouration of eyes / skin) is one of symptom of the liver disease or damage. Most of the liver diseases will cause jaundice. But sometimes, liver disease might occur and progress even without jaundice.