Question 1

is biliary atresia hereditary?

Accepted Answer

No: There is no proof that it is hereditary. Fortunately it is quite rare.

Question 2

anyone's baby got biliary atresia?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Several in las vegas. About one third do well. One third will do well for a time and will eventually need a liver transplant. Another third do not benefit from a kasai procedure and go straight to liver transplant.

Question 3

what is the disorder biliary atresia?

Accepted Answer

Bile Duct Blockage: The bile duct carries the bile formed in the liver to the small intestine. Any disease that narrows, scars, or obstructs the duct can be called atresia.  In some cases a patient is born with a narrow duct, called congenital atresia.  In other cases chronic inflammation, infection,  or even rejection of a liver transplant can cause scarring or narrowing of the duct.

Question 4

what are the tests for biliary atresia?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Usually start with laboratory tests followed by ultrasound, scintigraphy and biopsy.  The gold standard is an operative cholangiogram.

Question 5

how is biliary atresia typically diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Multidisciplinary: This diagnosis is made by a team of neonatologists, pediatric surgeons and pediatric gastroenterologists. It includes blood test, an ultrasound, a nuclear scan called hida scan to evaluate drainage of the liver, a liver biopsy and finally a cholangiogram.  As you can see it is not straightforward and that is why so many specialists are required.

Question 6

what is biliary atresia and how is it treated?

Accepted Answer

Absence of bile duct: The liver makes bile and the bile cannot get into the intestine.  Treatment is removing the bad/scarred duct area at the edge of the liver and sew up a piece of intestine.  If it is successful, bile will begin to flow into the intestine.  If not, liver becomes very hard and transplant will be necessary.  Also, earlier surgery gives best outcome.

Question 7

biliary atresia, is it a hereditary condition?

Accepted Answer

No: Biliary atresia occurs sporadically and is relatively  rare thankfully. It is felt to be an infection of the lining of the biliary tract that results  in obliteration and stenosis and progressive damage to the liver

Question 8

who is more likely at risk for biliary atresia?

Accepted Answer

Post Transplant: There are two forms of biliary atresia - congenital (at birth) or acquired.  The acquired type most often occurs in the setting of autoimmune disease (though no way to calculate risk) and is one form of chronic rejection of a transplanted liver allograft.

Question 9

what are common symptoms and signs of biliary atresia?

Accepted Answer

Jaundice: Persistent jaundice in the newborn which is of the direct type or conjugated type is the early sign of biliary atresia.  If it goes undetected in the newborn period, the child can develop liver failure.

Question 10

what is the definition or description of: biliary atresia?

Accepted Answer

Biliary Atresia: Biliary atresia abnormal biliary tract that block bile from
moving from liver to intestine.  Bile backs up in the liver causing scarring and damage to liver cells.Symptoms become apparent from 2 - 8 weeks of age   
Below is a website with more information about biliary atresia
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/b/biliary

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for biliary atresia

A member asked:

Is biliary atresia hereditary?

A member asked:

Anyone's baby got biliary atresia?

A member asked:

What is the disorder biliary atresia?

A member asked:

What are the tests for biliary atresia?

A member asked:

How is biliary atresia typically diagnosed?

A member asked:

What is biliary atresia and how is it treated?

A member asked:

Biliary atresia, is it a hereditary condition?

A member asked:

Who is more likely at risk for biliary atresia?

A member asked:

What are common symptoms and signs of biliary atresia?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: biliary atresia?

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