Patient's question:
My sister's child has been feeling unwell recently. When they went to the hospital for a check-up, they were diagnosed with congenital biliary atresia. They called me to ask what congenital biliary atresia is, but I don't know either. Could you please explain what congenital biliary atresia is?Doctor's answer:
The cause of neonatal biliary atresia is the obstruction of the biliary system due to the gradual fibrosis of the common hepatic duct. Most cases of biliary atresia manifest clinically within a few weeks after birth. It can also occur in extrahepatic cholangitis. After fibrosis, it is rarely found in newborns or fetuses. Although specific viral infections have been reported, the true source of infection has not yet been identified. Biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome are a long-term pathological process rather than a specific pathological change. Both diseases typically occur in the first two weeks after birth with hyperbilirubinemia, white clay-like stools, and hepatomegaly. Children aged 2 to 3 years may experience slow growth, skin itching, and portal hypertension.