Biliary Atresia

Biliary Atresia is a rare condition that affects the liver and bile ducts in newborns. It causes the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the intestines, to become blocked or absent. This blockage leads to a buildup of bile in the liver, causing jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools. Over time, the liver can become damaged and scarred, leading to serious problems with digestion and growth. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to manage symptoms and improve outcomes.

Biliary Atresia is a progressive fibro-obliterative disease of the extrahepatic bile ducts resulting in obstruction of bile flow. The exact cause is unknown but is thought to involve an inflammatory or autoimmune process triggered by viral infections or genetic susceptibility. The hallmark pathology is destruction and fibrosis of the bile ducts, leading to cholestasis, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, and progressive liver fibrosis. Clinically, it presents in the neonatal period with persistent jaundice, acholic stools, and hepatomegaly. If untreated, it leads to cirrhosis and liver failure within the first two years of life, making early recognition critical.