congenital biliary atresia
Last reviewed 01/2023
Biliary atresia is a congenitally acquired condition in which the biliary tree become progressively sclerosed and occluded. The main intrahepatic ducts become obliterated and death occurs in 98% of individuals by two years old if untreated.
The cause may be a congenital or perinatal infection, for example with reoviruses.
It occurs approximately once in 15 000 live births in the UK (1)
- more common in females
- more common in Asians
Approximately 20% of patients have other congenital abnormalities (2).
Reference:
- Kelly DA, Davenport M; Current management of biliary atresia. Arch Dis Child. 2007 Dec;92(12):1132-5.
- Hartley JL, Davenport M, Kelly DA; Biliary atresia. Lancet. 2009 Nov 14;374(9702):1704-13.