A disease of the liver that destroys bile ducts; it is progressive and life threatening.
a birth defect in which the bile ducts are not completely developed; often a liver transplant is necessary
A rare, congenital (at birth) condition marked by the absence, underdevelopment or closure of the major bile ducts that drain bile from the liver. The baby looks normal at birth but develops jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) after 2-3 weeks. Stools are light-colored and urine is dark, caused by build up of the pigment bilirubin in the blood. The abdomen may be swollen with a firm, enlarged liver. Weight loss and irritability develop as the jaundice increases. The blockage of bile flow from the liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver (irreversible scarring) if not treated. Treatment involves surgically attaching the small intestine directly to the liver at the spot where bile is found or expected to drain. For the 20% of babies not helped by surgery, the only option is liver transplant.
When the bile ducts in the liver develop slowly, which results in blockage of the ducts. The bile "backs up" into the liver and causes jaundice and cirrhosis. Biliary atresia is often seen in babies 2 to 6 weeks after birth.
a disorder in newborns which destroys the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver to the intestines. This disease is a progressive destruction of the bile ducts.
bile ducts do not have normal openings, preventing bile from leaving the liver. This causes jaundice (a yellow skin color) and liver damage known as cirrhosis. Biliary atresia is a birth defect.
A congenital absence or underdevelopment of one or more of the ducts in the biliary tract. Correctable surgically.
condition present from birth in which the bile ducts inside or outside the liver do not have normal openings. Bile becomes trapped in the liver, causing jaundice and cirrhosis. Without surgery, the condition may cause death.
Congenital condition in which bile from the liver cannot reach the intestine because the bile ducts have developed poorly or not at all
Poorly developed bile ducts obstructing bile drainage.
Biliary atresia is a rare condition in newborn infants in which the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent. If unrecognised, the condition leads to liver failure but not (as one might think) to kernicterus. It has no known cause, and the only effective treatment is by surgery or liver transplantation.