bilary atresia

Question 1

what is biliary atresia?

Answer 1

1. paediatric condition involving either obliteration or discontinuity within the extrahepatic biliary system, which results in an obstruction in the flow of bile.
2. This results in a neonatal presentation of cholestasis in the first few weeks of life

Question 2

how does biliary atresia present?

Answer 2

1. prolonged jaundice within 2 - 8 weeks
2. dark urine and pale stool
3. high levels of conjugated bilirubin

Question 3

Ix

Answer 3

1. serum bilirubin
2. LFTs
3. alpha 1 anti trypsin / sweat chloride tests
4. ultrasound of the biliary tree

Question 4

Mx

Answer 4

surgical intervention