Patient's question:
What causes biliary atresia? Today, while chatting casually with friends, I mentioned this issue, but I'm not very familiar with it. I'd like to ask about the causes of biliary atresia. Thank you, doctor.Doctor's answer:
Hello, there is no clear conclusion yet regarding the cause of this disease. In the early stages, this condition was believed to be congenital biliary dysplasia, associated with the arrest or disease of the biliary system during the fourth to tenth week of embryonic development. The liver parenchyma is damaged due to biliary obstruction and bile stasis. In the early stages, the liver may be slightly enlarged, and after a few months, it develops into severe biliary cirrhosis. The liver is significantly enlarged and hardened, appearing brownish-green, fine-grained, or nodular.