Question
What is Congenital Biliary Atresia?
Answer
Congenital biliary atresia refers to a developmental abnormality in the newborn’s bile duct system, causing bile to fail to flow smoothly from the liver to the intestines. Depending on the location and extent of the blockage, it can be classified into intrahepatic, extrahepatic, and common bile duct types. Infants typically exhibit jaundice symptoms within 2 to 3 weeks after birth, with normal stool color. This condition may lead to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins and, in severe cases, can cause skeletal problems.