What is Biliary Atresia?
Biliary atresia is a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and pale stools that start in the first 4-8 weeks of life are the main signs of the disease.
Cells in the liver produce liquid called bile. Bile helps to digest fat. It also carries waste products from the liver to the intestines for removal from the body.
The biliary system is a network of channels and ducts. When the biliary system is working the way it should, bile drains from the liver into the intestines.
When a baby has biliary atresia, bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked. This causes the bile to be trapped inside the liver, quickly causing damage and scarring of the liver cells (cirrhosis). This eventually leads to liver failure.
When a baby has biliary atresia, bile flow from the liver to the intestine is blocked. This causes the bile to be trapped inside the liver, and the baby becomes jaundiced. The trapped bile in babies can quickly cause liver damage and scarring (cirrhosis). This eventually leads to liver failure.
Early cirrhosis and liver failure can be prevented by early diagnosis and surgery. Surgery includes taking out the blocked bile ducts and connecting the liver to the intestine to increase bile flow.