Patient's question:
The baby is four months old and has a yellow complexion all over, refuses to eat, and is crying. We went to a community hospital nearby for a check-up. The doctor said it seemed like biliary atresia and recommended an ultrasound. I want to ask if an ultrasound can diagnose biliary atresia?Doctor's answer:
The final diagnosis of biliary atresia requires a liver biopsy and cholangiography. If the liver and bile ducts are normal, the possibility of biliary atresia is very low. Liver ultrasound is the initial diagnostic test. If biliary atresia is suspected, tests such as bilirubin measurement and cholangiography should also be performed. If a child is diagnosed with biliary atresia, they should be treated at a hospital with a grade of three or higher as soon as possible to prevent liver function from being affected by bile stasis. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a check-up.