Question
Soon after birth, the baby’s skin appears yellow and the baby’s condition is not good. After examination, it is diagnosed as congenital biliary atresia. Inquire about its cause.
Answer
The cause of neonatal biliary atresia is the progressive fibrosis of the bile duct system due to the obstruction caused by the gradual fibrosis of the common bile duct. Most cases of biliary atresia present within a few weeks after birth. It can also occur in extrahepatic bile duct infections. After fibrosis, it is rarely found in neonates or fetuses. Biliary atresia usually occurs within two weeks after birth, with symptoms such as high bilirubinemia, clay-colored stools, liver enlargement, growth retardation in children aged 3 to 2 years, skin itching, and portal hypertension.