Biliary Atresia
Definition Biliary atresia is an obstruction of the bile ducts caused by their failure to develop normally in the fetus. This is a congenital condition (present at birth).
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Biliary atresia is caused by the abnormal development of the bile ducts inside or outside the liver. The purpose of the biliary system is to remove waste products from the liver, and to carry bile salts necessary for fat digestion to the small intestine.
In babies with biliary atresia, bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked. This can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis of the liver, which, if not treated, will eventually be fatal.
Newborns with this condition may appear normal at birth but jaundice develops by the 2nd or 3rd week of life. The infant may gain weight normally for the 1st month, then weight loss and irritability develop accompanied by increasing levels of jaundice. It is not known why the biliary system fails to develop normally.
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