Patient's question:
A colleague recently had a baby, and after examination, it was found that the baby had biliary atresia. The doctor said that early treatment is necessary, so I would like to ask about the late symptoms of biliary atresia in infants?Doctor's answer:
The typical case of biliary atresia involves full-term delivery, with most being normal, and normal stool color. Jaundice gradually appears 2-3 weeks after birth. In some cases, jaundice may develop from yellow to pale yellow, then turn grayish-white, resembling clay without bile. However, occasionally, jaundice may appear pale yellow in the later stages of the disease. The diaper becomes yellower as the urine becomes darker. After jaundice appears, it usually does not gradually subside or worsen. The skin may turn golden or even brown. It may be scratched due to itching, and sometimes due to lipomas or fibromas. In the later stages of the disease, various deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins occur. Vitamin D deficiency may be accompanied by rickets and large epiphyses. Due to hemodynamic changes, such as partial arteriovenous shunts and reduced peripheral vascular resistance, a high-pitched heart murmur can be heard in the anterior and pulmonary regions.