Everything You Need To Know About Biliary Atresia

Biliary atresia is a chronic and progressive liver problem. It becomes evident shortly after birth. The bile ducts become blocked and the bile cannot leave the liver. Due to this, the liver becomes damaged and affects various vital functions.

If it is not treated, it is a disease that endangers the life of the person who suffers it. Let’s learn more about her in this article.

What Causes Biliary Atresia?

The cause of biliary atresia is not known with certainty. Many experts believe that babies are born with biliary atresia, which implies that the alteration of the bile ducts occurs during pregnancy.

However, other opinions suggest that the disease appears after birth, due to exposure to toxic or infectious substances. It is not linked to medications that the mother has taken or illnesses that she has had during pregnancy.

At present, it is unknown if there is a genetic link for biliary atresia. In general, the disease is not likely to recur more than once in a family.

What are the symptoms of biliary atresia?

Babies affected by biliary atresia often appear healthy at birth. However, symptoms develop between two weeks and two months of life. The symptoms of biliary atresia may resemble other conditions or medical problems.

Among the symptoms listed they include:

• Jaundice: it is a yellow coloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It occurs due to high and irregular levels of bilirubin in the blood that can be attributed to inflammation, other abnormalities of the liver cells or a blockage of the bile ducts.
• Dark urine and light stools.
• Swollen abdomen and weight loss.

Diagnosis of biliary atresia

To reach the diagnosis of the disease , different tests and blood tests are carried out. 

Blood test

In the blood analysis, the measurement of the following parameters is requested :

• Liver enzymes: Elevated levels of liver enzymes can alert you to liver damage or injury. However, when this happens, the enzymes pass into the blood.
• Bilirubin – Bilirubin produced by the liver is excreted into the bile. High bilirubin levels often indicate a bile flow obstruction or a defect in the liver’s processing of bile.
• Albumin and total protein : levels below normal are associated with chronic liver disorders.
• Clotting studies: Prothrombin time and partial prothrombin time, which measure the time it takes for blood to clot, are evaluated. Liver cell damage and bile flow obstruction can interfere with the blood clotting process.

• Blood culture: this checks if there is an infection in the blood caused by bacteria that can affect the liver.

Diagnostic imaging

The imaging tests that are usually used are:

• Abdominal ultrasound : is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves. However, ultrasound scans make it possible to obtain images of the state of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
• Hepatobiliary scan (HIDA):  A low-radiation isotope is injected into the vein. If the isotope passes from the liver to the intestine, the bile ducts open and it will be confirmed that there is no biliary atresia.
• Liver biopsy :  A sample of liver tissue is taken, which is then examined and used to distinguish biliary atresia from other liver problems.