What causes biliary atresia?
Unfortunately the cause of biliary atresia is not known. Research is being carried out but it has not yet provided any definitive answers. There are various theories attributing some viruses or autoimmune processes to cause the pathology. Biliary atresia, however is NOT a hereditary condition.

Parents frequently feel guilty that they may in some way have contributed to their child having this problem. These feelings are groundless, as at present, there is no known way of preventing or anticipating the occurrence of biliary atresia.

What are the signs of biliary atresia?
In the first few weeks of life, babies with biliary atresia often seen well, apart from being jaundiced (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

Jaundice in newborn babies is very common and mostly it clears within the first 2 weeks of life. This is caused due to the change over of the newborn baby's blood (hemoglobin) to the variety that is present in adults. However, if the cause of the jaundice is due to a Liver Disease, then, frequently the jaundice does not fade.

Other important signs are:

• Yellow Coloured urine

Normally the urine of a newborn baby is colourless. If the baby’s urine is persistently yellow or brown this can be an indication of Liver Disease.

• Pale Stools

Normally the stools of a baby are green or yellow. If the stools are grey, white, fawn or pale then this can be an indication of Liver Disease.

• Bleeding

  Prolonged bleeding from the umbilicus or bleeding elsewhere (e.g. a nosebleed) may be an indication of Liver Disease.
  
  

How is biliary atresia diagnosed?
The signs that have been described are non-specific and can indicate other disorders, therefore there will be a need to number of investigations in order to make a diagnosis. The tests are to be carried out in hospital and include blood tests, scans and liver biopsy. Your baby will be admitted to hospital for a period of about a week for the tests.

Once other causes of Liver Disease have been excluded and investigations indicate biliary atresia your baby will be scheduled for surgery. The doctors and nurses will explain to you the type of surgery planned. The diagnosis and type of biliary atresia will only be confirmed at the time of operation.